NEW DELHI:
The latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data has revealed that security agencies in Assam have seized the fifth highest Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) notes of 200 denomination value Rs 2,80,400 in 2021.
According to the NCRB data, 1402 notes of 200 denominations from across the State by the security agencies.
As per the data, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Punjab are the four States where maximum denomination of 200 notes have been seized.
Only five FICN of 200 denominations valued Rs 10000 have been seized in Meghalaya in 2021.
Ironically, third maximum fake notes of 500 denomination with a face value of 69,19,500 have also been seized from Assam.
Against the backdrop of several steps being adopted by the security agencies to check circulation of FICN in the Indian market, the NCRB data would definitely raise concern of the central government.
As per the NCRB data-2021, 310080 notes of different denominations having a face value of 203929260 have been seized from across the country with States like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat leading the list of States where maximum seizure are taking place.
Counterfeiting of currency notes is an offence under Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Section 489 (A-E)). Further, production, smuggling or circulation of High Quality Fake Indian paper currency, coin or any other material has been made a terrorist act under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
The Home Ministry has formed a FICN Coordination Group (FCORD) to share intelligence and information amongst the different security agencies of the States and Centre to counter the problem of circulation of fake currency notes in the country.
A Terror Funding and Fake Currency Cell (TFFC) which has been constituted in National investigation agency (NIA) is also conducting focused investigation of Terror Funding and Fake Currency cases.
As far as circulation of FICN in Assam and other Northeastern States are concerned, a senior government official said that such FICN are coming into the Northeastern States via Bangladesh.
The entry of FICN from across the border has become a matter of concern for Indian security agencies. Earlier this year, local police in Dhaka seized a large number of FICN and arrested some people suspected to have been involved in the racket.