Rs 5.5 lakh cr fresh currency infused after demonetisation: Government

New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) As much as Rs 5.5 lakh crore fresh currency has been infused into circulation, a top official said on Saturday.

“Rs 5.50 lakh crore fresh currency has been infused in the markets,” Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das told state broadcaster DD News in an interview.

“Old notes have been received from the market by the Reserve Bank of India through the banking system. In return, this much currency has been printed,” Das added.

In the last five weeks after the government announced demonetisation of the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8, the situation of liquidity in the markets has improved, he said.

“Over the last five weeks, the situation has improved. It is the effort of the RBI and the government to infuse currency as soon as possible in the markets,” he added.