Unaware of demonetisation, a visually handicapped beggar requests exchange of Rs 65,000 in cash

A visually-impaired beggar from Tamil Nadu got the shock of his life when he found out that his life savings of Rs 65,000 have no value today. Chinnakkannu learned about demonetisation from a cobbler on Sunday, nearly five years after it was announced.

R Kannaiyan, a cobbler, advised the elderly beggar to seek the Collector’s assistance.

The money came from his life savings, which he had accumulated while begging alms in Krishnagiri.

Chinnakkannu had only Rs 300 in his bank account and had no idea how he would buy food after he ran out of funds, according to The Hindu.

He sent a plea to the Collector in which he explained how he only recently learned about demonetisation and that no one had notified him. He asked the Collector to exchange his old cash for the new.

The District Revenue Officer conveyed Chinnakkannu’s appeal to the District Lead Bank Manager. The Reserve Bank of India will be notified of the situation (RBI).

However, because the exchange of old currency notes was only allowed until March 31, 2017, it is unlikely that the currency will be swapped.

According to TNIE, the beggar refused to accept the outlawed notes, but the district administration has provided for an elderly pension to sustain Chinnakkannu starting next month.