Ban on use of Rs 500, Rs 1,000 notes affects movement of trucks in Gopalganj

Alok Mishra

Gopalganj: The decision of PM Narendra Modi to ban use of currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations from November 8 midnight had its affect on Integrated Check-post at Balthari in Gopalganj district as hundreds of long distance trucks are struck at different locations up to Tamkuhi Road in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh since then.

The officials of the local Transport Department have refused to accept currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations. As a result, hundreds of trucks are stranded on different roads. Most of the drivers possess currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations only. Some of the drivers said that they have to pay Rs 1,100 at the check post as entry charge. They said that the officials concerned are not accepting big currency notes denying them entry into Bihar and outside Bihar. Over a dozen tourist buses including a bus laden with Sri Lankan tourists are also stuck in the mahajam.

If sources in the Transport Department are to be believed, they are refusing to accept these two currency notes as they have not received any guidelines from the superiors. Sources said that generally a sum of over Rs 10 lakh are collected here daily as entry tax from the vehicles passing through this check-post. Sources said that if the officials accept these two currency notes, they would have to face the consequences as no directives have been issued in this regard.

Seeing the mahajam, ADTO Shambhunath directed the officials to accept Rs 300 as entry tax from the vehicles to clear the jam but it failed to bring the desired results as none of the drivers had currency notes of Rs 100 denomination. When contacted, ADTO said that a decision to this effect was taken after consulting Gopalganj DM and senior officials of the Transport Department. When contacted, Lead Bank manager Anil Kumar said that there is no ban on depositing cash into the account of the state government.