Alarming rise of counterfeit currency

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, June 21: The rise in the rate surfacing of counterfeit currency is becoming so precarious that one may turn into a victim of fake currency for his own ignorance in recognizing the original bank note. Hence, transaction of cash either through ATMs or exchange with an individual is becoming a risky job day by day. The trend has been projected as quite alarming in the data updated by the Assam Police.

According to the data, altogether 125 cases of counterfeit currency were detected in 2017 alone. The development is disturbing that the figure detected in 2017 is double the figure of the 2016, as in 2016 the numbers of counterfeit currency stood at 63.

Over the last 12 years, the cases of counterfeit currency detected by Assam Police were, 85 in 2006, 95 in 2007, 87 in 2008, 84 in 2009, 85 in 2013, 56 in 2014, 55 in 2015, 63 in 2016 and 125 in 2017. Significantly, over the last twelve years, it was only in 2017 that the cases of detected counterfeit currency went beyond the hundred mark, which indeed is disturbing.

Unless an appropriate mechanism is created to curb the menace, one’s awareness and consciousness will be the only measures to stay away from such a risky transaction. Or else, one may fall into the radar of the counterfeit currency racket.