Few days back I had been to one of the banks in Mapusa to withdraw Rs 30,000. When I went to the teller with the token, he asked me what denomination I would like to have. I told him I would be obliged if he gave me Rs 20,000 in 2000 rupee note and the rest in Rs 500 note.

I counted the cash on the counter itself and noticed that some of the notes have been scribbled with pencil marks. I returned the scribbled notes and he promptly gave me fresh notes.

Some time back I deposited some cash in Rs 2000 notes. And the lady at the counter checked the notes individually. To my luck there was not a single note with any scribbling.

If the banks themselves are giving notes which are scribbled upon, I doubt they will accept notes which have something scribbled on them.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in a circular RBI/2016-2017/123 DCM No.1251 on Nov.7, 2016, had advised general public not to accept new currency note which has any text or sketch drawn on it.

This notification was part of master circular published on Nov 10 on withdrawal of legal tender of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 bank notes.

As per new guidelines of RBI, writing anything on new notes makes the note invalid and it will no more be a legal tender.

Just like US Dollars if you write anything on US dollars it is not accepted by any one.

As per govt notification no 563F/MC/RBI/NSK/2016 on November 11, 2016, any new Rs 2000 and Rs 500 notes will be invalid if any kind of writing found on it. No bank will accept notes with writing or staple pins on it.

If the banks themselves do not follow the RBI instructions do they expect the common people to follow the guidelines?