Tamil Nadu Temple Gets Rs 44 Lakh In Donation In 500, 1,000 Rupee Notes

Chennai: A 16th century temple in Tamil Nadu has received an offering of Rs 44 lakh in 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, days after the central government scrapped them in an effort to crack down on black money and corruption.

Authorities at the Jalakandeswarar Temple in Vellore, 137 km from Chennai, believe that the money has come from a single devotee or a group.

"We will deposit this in the bank for exchange. This is the highest ever contribution to the temple," temple secretary S Suresh Kumar said.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Jalakandeswarar Temple was not used for around 400 years due to a religious dispute and was revived in 1981. The Archeological Survey of India looks after its upkeep.

However, with the government declaring that depositing any amount over Rs 2.5 lakh in banned currency notes would invite scrutiny by income tax authorities, it remained unclear if the donation could be used by the temple.

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In a surprise announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared on Tuesday night that 500 and 1000 rupee notes will become illegal from midnight, making them "worthless pieces of paper".

The government has said people have time till December 30 to exchange or deposit their old notes in banks or post offices. However they will need to present identity proofs and explain sums above Rs 2.5 lakh.

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Long queues outside banks and ATMs have been reported from all parts of the country for the last five days as people scrambled to collect usable bills and bank employees worked overtime to serve customers.

In several states, illegal bills have been found dumped in dustbins and on the roadside. Several sacks of money have also been found burnt in places or dumped in the river.