Telangana: Rs 2,000 notes brim temple hundis after RBI order

HYDERABAD: Following the RBI decision to withdraw 2,000 currency notes from circulation, temples in the state have been receiving top denomination bills in abundance.
Recently, when Yadadri temple authorities counted the hundi collection for the first time after RBI’s announcement, they found 2 lakh worth of 2,000 notes.

“Earlier, we used to find one or two 2,000 notes in hundi donations. But after RBI’s announcement, we have seen a significant jump in 2,000 in hundi donations,” executive officer (EO) of Yadagirigutta temple, N Geetha, told TOI.
The endowments department, however, has given instructions to temples to accept 2,000 notes from devotees.
“The state government asked us to follow RBI guidelines for depositing 2,000 notes in banks. Devotees purchasing seva tickets, pooja material and prasadam at temple counters have been using 2,000 notes. We are not discouraging them as RBI has given time till September end to deposit 2,000 notes,” said an executive officer of a city-based temple.
Authorities of Bhadrachalam Sita Ramachandra Swamy temple and Vemulawada Sri Raja Rajeswara temple are yet to count the hundi offerings. While Bhadrachalam temple EO L Rama Davi confirmed they have been receiving 2,000 notes in a significant number, Vemulawada temple EO Krishna Prasad said that they will know only when they open the hundi next week.
“There is no limit on the amount a devotee can donate in the form of currency at the temple and the amount will not be taxed,” Bhadrakali temple EO K S Bharati said.
Some temple authorities in Hyderabad are anticipating a good jump through hundi offerings due to the RBI's decision.
“At the time of demonetisation in 2016, hundi boxes were filled with 500 notes. The situation is not the same but we are expecting to see more 2,000 notes in next few weeks,” said a senior officer of a well-known temple in Jubilee Hills.
An endowments department official said there has been a slight increase in hundi revenue after RBI’s decision.