Government of India allow Rs.500 note to recharge your prepaid mobile phone. This step is taken by government regarding problems faced by the common people to contact their loved ones. But according to Cellular operators association COAI, this decision allow a consumer to use their mobile phones services without any disruption
“We are delighted that government listened to our request in the interest of consumers, addressing the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens who can continue to top up and use mobile services, which are essential services," COAI Director General Rajan Mathews said.
According to the survey, prepaid recharges and top-ups are fall down by 50% after demonetization. Consumers are struggling with phone recharges as well in this cashless India.
In fact, COAI had written to Telecom Department last week flagging the "hardships being faced by ordinary citizens in obtaining such services due to difficulties of obtaining replacement currency...". but now government make announcement that until unless new currency notes are not available, consumer can use old notes.
"Given the increasing hardships being faced by ordinary citizens in ordering their normal daily activities, we believe this permission extended to TSPs will go a long way in ameliorating citizen's difficulties relating to obtaining and using communication services," COAI had said.
“This will also serve as an enabler to further drive banking transactions using mobile phones supporting the efforts of the Government and the banking ecosystems,” it had added.
Government also planning, to avail this facility of using 500 and 100 currency note for public utilities and services like mobile recharge up to 15 December.