Toll tax suspension, use of old notes for utility bills extended till Nov 14

The government on Friday extended the suspension of toll collection on national highways across the country till November 14 as people are still grappling with the demonetisation of the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknote.

“The move has been taken to ensure smooth traffic movement across all national highways,” Union minister for road transport and highways and shipping Nitin Gadkari said on Friday.

The government also extended the use of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes for payment of court fees, water and power bills, purchases at Kendriya Bhandrars on production of Id card, petrol pumps for the next 72 hours.

Banks struggled to contain long queues for the second straight day on Friday as consumers were told to go back after several ATMs closed down in a few hours.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced earlier this week the abolition of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 banknotes from midnight Tuesday, in a move to stamp out corruption and drain illicit cash from the economy.

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