New Delhi, India: August 28, 2008 - IR Summary/Agencies - Unearthing of Multi-crore fake currency in Uttar Pradesh has forced the Reserve Bank of India to find out some alternative to check the fake currency racket. The RBI, after a serious consideration, has issued orders for the withdrawal of all currency notes of years 1996 and 2000, taking effect from January 2009.

Notes of denomination 10, 20, 50 and 100 are to be withdrawn by the RBI. Counterfeit notes are largely of the 1996 and the 2000 series. Crude attempts have been made to breach the 2005 series also.

New series of currency notes will have increased security features.

RBI officials feel sure that the revised course adopted by them would help check the fake currency to a great extent.