MYSURU: With the Union government asking banks to use indelible ink on those swapping scrapped notes, Reserve Bank of India has placed orders for 2.96 lakh bottles of indelible ink worth Rs 3.5 crore that will be distributed among 28 banks across the country in six days.
The Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd (MYPVL), the only company authorised to manufacture the substance in the country since 1962, swung into action and dispatched 30,000 bottles of ink on Wednesday.
The 5 cc bottle can be used to mark on 500 customers that will be visible on the right hand index finger of them for 30 days.
MYPVL chairman H A Venkatesh said they are working overtime to meet the demand of RBI. Though the banks have approached the MPVL directly seeking indelible ink, the MYPVL has decided to distribute inks to banks through RBI branches across the country.
Clarifying that they will not accept orders from private parties or banks directly, he said they have enough stock of raw materials to meet the demand.
MYPVL general manager Harakumar said the firm charges Rs. 116 per 5 cc indelible ink bottle.
Asked whether they received orders for indelible ink for the forthcoming assembly polls in five states, he said the Election Commission has placed orders of 5 lakh bottles of indelible ink.
Sketch pen to be introduced?
Though MYPVL is using traditional method to apply indelible ink mark on the fingers of customers, he said the MYPVL in association with National Research Laboratory and National Chemistry Development Laboratory has carried out a research to bring out a sketch pen.
He said they are in talks with the Election Commission and will present a demo of sketch pen to the EC in December. He said one pen can be used to mark on 1,000 voters.
Points to remember
To dispatch ink to banks across India through RBI in six days
RBI places Rs 3.5 crore indelible ink order from MYPVL
EC orders 5 lakh bottles ink for elections in five states
MYVPL to demonstrate sketch pen before Election Commission