Donation boxes at temples are now filled with high value currency - a trend never seen before.
An unusual trend has started at temples across the country ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the banning of Rs 500 and 1000 notes a week ago. Donation boxes at temples are now filled with high value currency - a trend never seen before.
While devotees would have most likely reached their pockets for 100 rupees in the past, the new trend now is to donate a 500 or 1000 rupee note. Just a week after the government's demonetisation move, online donations too, have seen a surge.
"At this point there has been an increase in the number of 500 and 1000 rupee notes received. The cash currency was very low but in two-three days, the online amount increased and the daily average of 1.5 lakhs is maintained even today" said Narendra Mehta, Chairperson of the famous Siddhivinayak Trust, a temple that is over 200 years old in Mumbai.
While 500 and 1000 rupee notes are no longer accepted at the cash counters of the temple, the banned notes still make to the donation drop boxes. The money collected from the donation boxes are also helping banks increase the circulation of small currency.
Shrines have also started accepting donations through credit and debit cards. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Board in Jammu has set up debit and credit card machines along with currency exchange counters at the temple premises.
"For the ease of pilgrims, we are increasing debit and credit card machines. It was slightly inconvenient the first three days, but now it's much better," said Ajeet Kumar Sahu, the CEO of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
But while the government has promised that cash deposited in donation boxes won't come under the tax scanner, strict vigil is also needed to ensure this leeway isn't misused by religious institutions.