After the announcement of withdrawing Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination notes from the financial system, people have been queuing in front of the banks to exchange their old notes for new. This kind of crowd has caused a lot of discomfort for the people inside the banks; as well as the people waiting outside the bank. Not only this, but the black money holders are coming to exchange their money multiple times during the day.

To curb this kind of behaviour, the government has decided to ink the index finger of the right hand of persons coming in to exchange money. This is the same method that is used to prevent multiple voting during elections. Economic affairs minister, Shaktikanta Das said, “This move is expected to prevent ‘unscrupulous’ persons from sending people from one bank’s branch to the next to exchange old notes.”

After exchanging the notes, people will be marked with indelible ink on their right hand’s index finger. They are being inked only on the right hand because some states have upcoming by-elections. A person can now exchange only Rs. 4,500.

This method is not applicable for bank deposits or withdrawal from bank accounts. This method will first be introduced in metro cities and then in other areas. Each bank will be provided a 5 ml bottle of ink. An ink mark anywhere except the right hand index finger will not be considered.

While the idea is a novel one – designed keeping people’s convenience in mind – it begs us to question as to how the matter will be dealt with when the indelible ink does not erase off after a day. If memory serves, election ink does not rub off for a few days after. Let’s hope it does not add to the inconvenience.