



Govt planning ATMs that will dispense small notes and coins
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. NEW DELHI : The Centre is exploring multiple ways to make small-denomination currency notes more widely available, in a move to address a persistent shortage that has plagued everyday cash transactions nearly a decade after demonetization.
The proposal includes a new kind of currency-dispensing machine to issue ₹10, ₹20 and ₹50 notes on demand, a ‘hybrid ATM’ that can exchange large notes for smaller denominations and coins, and a move to push the central bank to print more small denomination currency notes, according to two officials familiar with discussions within the government. “A prototype of low-denomination currency dispensing machines is currently being tested under a pilot project in Mumbai," the first official cited above said on condition of anonymity.
“Once approved, the system is expected to be scaled up nationally." These machines will be installed at high-footfall public locations such as transport hubs, markets, hospitals and government offices. Another machine—a hybrid ATM—would combine the functionality of a conventional ATM with a coin vending machine, the second official said, also requesting not to be named.
“These machines would allow users to exchange higher denomination notes for smaller banknotes and coins in a single transaction," this official added. According to this official, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has already tested a hybrid ATM model at a Bank of Baroda branch in Mumbai.
The government is expected to take a call on wider rollout by banks in the coming weeks after reviewing the Mumbai pilot results and taking on board the RBI’s feedback. Queries emailed to the spokespersons of the ministries of finance, department of financial services, and the
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