In its latest state budget paper, the tamil Nadu administration used a new symbol in place of the indian rupee (₹), which has caused controversy.
 
This topic has become more heated nationwide, and currency expert Anil Kumar Bhansali has called it unsuitable and unconstitutional. According to him, only the central government and the reserve bank of india (RBI) have the authority to alter the symbol of the rupee, which is the country's official currency and not the private property of any state government.

What action did the government of tamil Nadu take?
 
In its recently released budget paper, the DMK administration of tamil Nadu substituted a local and distinct symbol for the rupee's official symbol (₹).  Although this emblem is thought to represent regional identity, it has sparked debate on the constitutionality of economic policies and their uniformity.
 
This action violates the Constitution.

According to Anil Kumar Bhansali, a senior specialist in currency and financial markets, this action is wholly illegitimate.  He declared, "The rupee is not the money of any one indian administration; it is, in fact, our national currency.  I fail to see any justification for this. Bhansali emphasized that the reserve bank of india and the government of india are the only entities with the authority to acknowledge a currency's symbol at the national level.  No state administration, regardless of how strong it is, has the authority to alter the rupee's symbol whenever it pleases.
 
Significance of the symbol: It raises issues of sovereignty in addition to identification.

In 2010, the indian government formally adopted the present symbol for the indian rupee, the ₹.  This emblem is regarded as a representation of the country's economic identity and sovereignty.  It is more than just a design; it is a component of the indian currency's worldwide character.  According to Bhansali, the integrated economic structure of india may be threatened if state governments begin using their own emblems. This could also cause economic upheaval.

What is the position of the Constitution?
 
The indian Constitution grants the Center the authority to make decisions regarding currency and other associated matters.  According to the Constitution's Seventh Schedule, only the central government and the reserve bank of india have authority over currency, coins, and banknotes.  In this regard, Bhansali stated: "The reserve bank of india and the government of india govern the rupee; only they have the authority to alter the symbol.  This action lacks reason and is unconstitutional.
 
The political background is also crucial.
 
Strong assertions regarding regional identity and culture have frequently been made in tamil Nadu politics.  Some are also associating regional pride with this move by the DMK government.  Many experts, however, believe that manipulating national economic symbols for the sake of political objectives and cultural identity is a grave concern.

It is important to stay within the ambit of the law

The tamil Nadu government may have taken this action for political or cultural reasons, but it is against the Constitution to make a judgment on a national matter like currency on your own.  Experts agree that maintaining the consistency of national symbols is essential to preserving economic stability, national unity, and sovereignty.  It would be fascinating to watch how the reserve bank of india and the central government handle this issue going forward, as well as whether or not any state is permitted to alter the symbol of its national currency.  For the time being, however, currency expert Bhansali has a clear opinion: this action is illegal and ought to be halted right once.
 
 

 

 
 
 
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SIBY JEYYA

15/03/2025 09:35 AM