Bus depots to have fake note detectors

CHENNAI: The Metropolitan Transport Corporation has proposed to introduce fake note detection machines in bus depots across the city to single out fake Rs 500 currency notes. A decision in this regard was taken following a series of incidents of counterfeit currency notes being deposited at the cash counters in depots by the conductors, which had been received from commuters.“Initially, we had planned to install the machines in six depots. Later it was decided to extend it to all the 25 depots spread across the city,” a senior MTC official told City Express.According to MTC sources, the detection of fake notes is rampant in north Chennai when compared to other parts of the city.Crew members of the State-owned transport corporation have been given tips to detect the Rs 500 fake notes while receiving them from the passengers. But, some conductors get fake notes from the commuters, which comes to their notice only when MTC cashiers approach banks for depositing the collection.A conductor in route number 28 (Egmore North Railway Station — Thiruvottiyur), said that the authorities take the employees identification number if they deposit Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 currency notes to the depot cashier. “In case the currency notes are detected as fake ones and returned from the bank, we have to bear the loss. Hence, the conductors are quite cautious in handling the high denomination currency notes,” he stated.Another crew member in route number 114 (Vandaloor - Redhills) said that he would not provide change for Rs 500 notes. “It’s an unwanted risk. When passengers request change for high denomination currency notes, I would rather deny their plea instead of ending up paying for counterfeits,” he observed.