Exemptions for use of old Rs 500 notes will end on December 15 midnight: Shaktikanta Das

New Delhi, Dec 14 (KNN) Tomorrow is the last day for using the old Rs 500 notes for paying utility bills or buying medicines as government decided not to extend the exemption date beyond December 15 mid-night.

People can deposit invalid Rs 500 currency in their bank accounts only.

"Exemptions for use of old Rs 500 notes will end on December 15 midnight," Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das tweeted.

From December 16 old 500 currency notes will not be acceptable at medicine shops and for paying public utility services such as payment of electricity and water bill etc.

Since the demonetisation announcement, the government has been pushing towards promoting digital transactions through different modes.

On November 8, when the announcement on demonetization was announced, the government had allowed them to be used for utility bill payments for the first 72 hours. This deadline was extended repeatedly and the last extension was granted till December 15.

The government already withdrew use of 1,000 rupee notes for utility bill payments and discontinued use of even 500 ones for services like purchase of petrol and diesel at petrol pumps as well as buying air tickets at airport counters.