App in the pipeline to help Visually Impaired identify banknotes, RBI to Delhi HC

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has informed the Delhi High Court that it is in the process of developing a “suitable device/mechanism” for identification of various denominations of banknotes by the visually impaired..For this purpose, it is also considering the development of an app, RBI stated..The statement forms part of RBI’s reply to an application filed in a writ petition seeking a direction to the RBI to withdraw the newly launched Rs.50 banknote. The Petition filed by Advocate Rohit Dandriyal alleges that the new currency note does not have the identification mark for the visually impaired..Earlier this year, the High Court had directed RBI to consider the recommendations by Amicus Curiae in the case- Senior Advocate SK Rungta (who is visually impaired from birth) and George Abraham, on the need for having special features on bank notes for the benefit of the visually challenged..RBI informed the Court that the suggestions were placed before the Committee of the Central Board in its meeting on August 29, 2018. The Committee, in its meeting, discussed and analyzed the proposal to develop a dedicated app for the visually impaired..After deliberations, the Committee directed RBI to pursue the development of “a suitable device/mechanism” for aiding the visually impaired..RBI has, however, rejected the recommendation that bank currency should be manufactured in different shapes..“..the technical feasibility of manufacturing banknotes as it suffers from disadvantages like folded corners (dog-ears) being confused with clipped corners, concerns in handling and degradation, creation of false positives etc.”, it said..The matter would be next heard on October 22.