Means for identification of currency notes, higher than Rs.10 denomination, for the visually challenged users:
We have just seen in the previous two posts that, following protests from the visually challenged persons, that they are not able to distinguish between the one and two rupee circular coins in 2005 , the designs of the one and two rupee coins underwent a change and new coins were introduced in 2007, with a thumbs-up sign in one rupee and “V” sign in two rupee coins, to facilitate these users.
But, the Reserve Bank of India, had already taken steps to facilitate visually challenged users in the case of currency notes way back in June 1996, when a special feature in intaglio (defined as an engraving/design on a hard material, in this case, currency notes) on the left hand side of the water-mark window, was introduced in the new design notes of Rs.100/- , under the new Mahatma Gandhi series notes, introduced that year. This was later added to all higher denomination currency notes, and this assist are at present limited to all currency note denominations issued above Rs.10/-.
In addition, the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, the Reserve Bank seal, the Asoka ‘s Lion Capital emblem on the left, Reserve Bank of India Governor’s signature and the Central government guarantee clause and the RBI Governor’s promise are also printed in intaglio to help identify the rupee denominations , by visually challenged users. These features are incorporated in all denominations of currency notes above Rs.10/-.
These incorporations are particularly useful in higher denomination notes ,because, the identification mark at the left of the water-mark window, sometimes becomes worn-out with use, and they come in handy to establish the denomination of the notes, in case of some confusion.
If you look at the images of the Rs.100/- note issued during the time of the present Governor Dr. D.Subbarao and that of his predecessor Dr.Y.V.Reddy, you will find a black “triangle” on the left hand side of the water-mark window , which is the raised engraving to help the visually challenged users.
Similarly, in March 1997, the Rs.50/- notes under the new Mahatma Gandhi series were introduced. You will see below, specimens of these notes released by Dr. Bimal Jalan (Reserve Bank of India Governor from 22.11.97 to 05.09.2003) , Dr.Y.V.Reddy (RBI Governor from 06.09.03 to 05.09.2008) and Dr.D.Subbarao( RBI Governor 05.09.08 onwards) all have a black “square” at the same spot.
It is also noteworthy, that a 50 rupee note issued by Dr.Bimal Jalan in the earlier series showing the Lion Capital prominently, in place of the Mahatma Gandhi portrait, which was being simultaneously printed/circulated along with the new Mahatma Gandhi series, does not show this facility to assist the visually challenged persons to indentify the denomination of this note.
The under noted Rs.500/- currency note under the new Mahatma Gandhi series wef October 1997 has a “black circle” at the same spot . Two specimens issued by Dr.Reddy and Dr. Subbarao are given below.
However, a Rs. 500/- note, issued by Dr.C.Rangarajan (who was RBI Governor for two tenures between December 1992 and November 1997) under the old Mahatma Gandhi series , does not contain this facility for the visually challenged persons.
The Rs.1000/- note released in the year 2000 under the Mahatma Gandhi new series, for the first time , has a black “diamond” at the same spot on the note. A specimen issued by the present Governor, Dr.D.Subbarao is given below:
Similarly, the Rs.20/- notes issued in 2001 under the Mahatma Gandhi series have a black “rectangle” at the same spot.
Specimens of notes issued by Drs. Jalan, Reddy and Subbarao are given below for reference.
A note issued by Dr. Rangarajan in the old Ashoka Lion Capital series during the 1990s does not have this facility.
Posted on 02.10.2015:
Illustrations of Rs.500/- and Rs. 1000/- Banknotes with the new designs and explanation.
On 24.09.2015, Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) has notified that
Banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi series 2005 are being issued with a new
numbering pattern and special features for the visually challenged persons in
the denominations of Rs.100/-, Rs.500/- and Rs.1000/-.
These new design Banknotes
will contain a new numbering pattern in which the numerals in both the number
panels will ascend in size from left to right, while the first three
alphanumeric characters (prefix) will remain constant in size. Printing of the
numerals in ascending sizes (also called exploding font) is a visible security
feature in the Banknotes so that users can easily distinguish counterfeits from
genuine Banknotes.
Special features have been
included for the visually challenged persons in order to make it easier for
them to identify different denominations of Banknotes:
The
size of the identification mark in Rs.100/- (triangle), Rs.500/-(circle) and
Rs.1000/- (diamond) denominations has been increased by 50 per cent and angular
“bleed lines” – 4 lines in 2 blocks in Rs.100/-, 5 lines in 3 blocks in Rs.500
(2-1-2) and 6 lines in Rs.1000/- (1-2-2-1) denominations have been introduced. (All
these lines will be printed using intaglio printing – which is a state–of–the–art
technology in which the security paper is perforated and printing ink is
incised into the paper). Visually challenged persons will be able to feel these
lines more easily so as to recognise the denomination/value of these Banknotes
and easily distinguish between fake and genuine Banknotes.
The design of Banknotes of
these 3 denominations is similar in all respects to the earlier issues of the
Mahatma Gandhi 2005 Series.
RBI has further advised
that all the Banknotes in these denominations issued by RBI earlier will
continue to be legal tender except those printed brior to 2005 which cease to
be legal tender wef 31.12.2015.
In addition to these
security features these Banknotes will have moving images and colour variations
with distinct contrasts visible to the naked eye when tilted at different angles,
while some security features will be invisible to the naked eye and be only
machine readable.
These additional security features will
strengthen the recently introduced Banknotes on an experimental basis where
Rs.100/- and Rs.500/- Banknotes have been issued for general circulation with
numerals in ascending size from left to right in the number panels but without
the bleed lines.
These
measures are being taken so as to raise the bar for counterfeiters and make it
extremely difficult, if not impossible, to print fake Indian Currency
Banknotes.
Links to other posts on Indian Currency denominations on this blog:
1) Introduction of the new Rs.2000/- denomination in Indian Currency circulation wef 10.11.2016
2) Classification and Valuation of Rs.1000/- denomination Banknotes
3) Classification and Valuation of Rs.500/- Banknotes
4)Classification and Valuation of Rs.100/- Notes
5) Classification and Valuation of Rs.50/- Notes
6) Classification and Valuation of Rs.20/- Notes
7) Classification and Valuation of Rs.10/- Notes
8) Classification and Valuation of Rs.5/- Notes
9) Evolution and Valuation of one Rupee Banknotes in India
10) Did-you-know-series-1: Assists for identification of Currency Notes by visually challenged users
11) Did-you-know-series-2-what-is-design-or focus of the picture at the back of circulating Currency Notes in India?
12) Are you carrying a Fake Rs.500/- Banknote in your purse/wallet?: A comprehensive study
13) Introduction of a Rs.200/- Banknote wef 25.08.2017: Reasons for introduction, Necessity & convenience to Users
Some interesting links on Indian coins on this Blog:
Its informative And interesting
ReplyDeleteThanks.
ReplyDelete