How getting rid of 'black money' has driven a digital treasure hunt in India

In what can only be described as a historic opportunity to weed out evils in the country’s shadow economy, the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, has announced that all 500 and 1,000 rupee notes have been stripped of their status as legal tender, as his party intensifies its strike on “black money”.

The two notes make up about 86% of the currency in circulation by value in India and represent the maximum – and most popular – currency denominations. Their demonetisation has been both praised and criticised in the international media – and the people of India themselves are equally split.

So why demonetise the notes? India’s Ministry of Finance has said that the purpose is to curb financing of terrorism and any other subversive activities through the proceeds of fake currency notes. It also aims to restrain the shadow economy in India, the major driver of inflation that adversely affects the poor and deprives the government of its tax revenues. In addition, it is hoped that the move will reduce cash circulation in the country – as most corrupt activities and illegal dealings are done through cash.

The move is also expected to unearth people’s real income and ensure those falling under certain brackets pay taxes promptly. At present just 1% of the country’s people are paying income tax.

Cashing out

In the West, many would likely think that the revocation of certain bank notes, though it may cause some inconvenience, would be no problem. After all, the large majority have bank accounts and debit and credit cards to use. But in India it is a different story – banking is still considered to be a luxury for the majority of people who are below the poverty line. Despite current government attempts to ensure financial inclusion, many still use only notes and coins to pay for goods and services. In fact, it is estimated that 95% of transactions in India are made using cash and, for those squirrelling money away, it is a necessity to survive.

Though the announcement came as a surprise to some sectors of the public (and many politicians), the ruling party has been determined to eradicate black money from the moment it took power. A special investigations team was set up in 2014 to curb the menace of black money – and the screws of justice have been gradually tightened through the amendment of a series of measures such as the double taxation avoidance agreements.

The people of India have been given until the end of business hours on December 30, 2016 to exchange or deposit their notes in banks and post offices. Other measures have also been put in place to make sure that the procedure runs smoothly and is as convenient as possible for the public.

Social help

Though its intentions for the country’s economy appear positive, the move has not been well received by the common man. Tempers are flaring and some are warning of riots over the abrupt change. The poor, who are unused to dealing with banks, have mainly been left by authorities to wait in long queues outside financial institutions simply to figure out what to do with their notes.