An alleged shortage of new currency notes at banks in Ahmedabad ahead of Diwali is forcing customers seeking crisp notes for gifts and ceremonial payments to look to private sellers, according to a report by Sandesh. The report also raises questions about how large quantities of new notes are allegedly reaching black-market channels while bank branches and currency chests face limited supplies.
The reported shortage concerns new notes needed for weddings, social functions and customary Diwali payments. The demand remains strong for crisp notes used during Lakshmi pujan, account-book worship, the Gujarati New Year and shagun payments to children, relatives, employees and business associates. Sandesh reported that customers are finding it difficult to obtain such notes from banks and are allegedly being asked to pay commissions in the informal market.
The report identified Delhi Chakla, Manek Chowk and Gandhi Road among the commercial areas where new currency bundles are allegedly being offered at premiums. It cited reported asking prices of Rs 300 to Rs 350 for bundles of new Rs 20 notes and Rs 250 to Rs 300 for bundles of new Rs 100 notes. It also reported that buyers seeking new Rs 10 notes were being asked to pay a substantial premium, although the figures cited for those bundles were not presented clearly in the source material.
According to Sandesh, some buyers were told that stock had run out and that fresh supplies could arrive within one or two days. The report said that, despite digital payments becoming widespread, demand for cash remains high during the festival period because new notes continue to carry social and ceremonial value.
The report further said that the Reserve Bank of India usually allocates new notes around 10 days before Diwali, with banks beginning counter distribution during the festival week. This year, it alleged, most branches holding currency chests were still facing shortages, apart from one or two banks. A discussion about supplying Rs 10 coins as an alternative was also reported, although no official notification or confirmed allocation was cited.
The gap between reported bank availability and alleged private-market supply is the central unresolved issue. Sandesh reported that packaging marked as originating from the Reserve Bank was allegedly visible in parts of Delhi Chakla and Manek Chowk and questioned whether intermediaries or individuals connected to currency chests could be facilitating the movement of notes. That allegation has not been independently established in the material supplied for this report.
The source report did not include a response from the Reserve Bank of India, Ahmedabad banks, law-enforcement agencies or other authorities on the alleged shortage, premiums or possible diversion of currency. Confirmation of current stocks, distribution schedules and any action against unauthorised sellers would be necessary to establish the extent and source of the reported problem.
