Periya Rangammal and Chinna Rangammal, two siblings in their seventies from Tamil Nadu, will receive monthly old-age pension for their loss of Rs 40,000 to the demonetisation initiative in 2016.
The Tiruppur District Administration approved the release of a monthly amount of Rs 1000, reported NDTV, on Saturday, 30 November.
What Happened?
The two old women had been secretly saving demonetised notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 for their final rites or a medical emergency, unaware of the government’s demonetisation move in 2016.
It was only when they had to pay for an eye surgery last year that they realised the money they had saved up was of no value.
According to the siblings, three years ago, their sons had enquired if there were any notes that required exchange. At that time, the sisters denied having any currency on suspicion that their children wanted to take away their money, reported NDTV.
‘Wish For Demonetised Notes to be Exchanged’
After losing both their husbands and a son each to Tuberculosis, Periya Rangammal and Chinna Rangammal both live a hand-to-mouth existence with their other children in separate ramshackle shacks. Their children work as daily wage workers.
Considering their condition, Jagannathan, their brother requested the government to exchange the demonetised notes along with the pension money.
“The pension will help them get by, but they will be very grateful if the government helps replace the demonetised currency in their possession as well.”Jagannathan, Periya and Chinna Rangammal’s brother as quoted by NDTV
K Vijaya Karthikeyan, collector of the Tiruppur district administration, said that exchanging the notes at this stage might be difficult, as per NDTV.
(With Inputs from NDTV)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)