Challenges Faced by Rythu Bazars in Visakhapatnam Regarding ₹10 and ₹20 Coins: Legal & Social Implications

The Reserve Bank of India (REI) has consistently reiterated the legality of the 10-coin as a form of payment. Nevertheless, farmers, traders, and customers at Rythu Bazars in Visakhapatnam are declining to accept ₹10 or *20 coins, leading to frequent disputes between customers and retailers at the market. Kanthamma, a female farmer, mentioned to Deccan Chronicle that customers are reluctant to accept 10 coins, causing farmers to follow suit in not accepting them. Anjaiah, a daily wage laborer, shared with DC his struggles at Rythu Bazar, where conflicts arise over the acceptance of 10 coins, often resulting in him leaving without making purchases due to the coins being refused. Despite legal rulings and directives from the RBI, the local populace persists in rejecting these coins, which could have legal ramifications as per Section 6(1) of the Coinage Act, 2011. Efforts by the RBI to raise awareness through campaigns featuring celebrities and actors have not fully addressed the issue, as expressed by G. Prasad, estate manager of Rythu Bazar, who highlighted the broader challenges related to tendering, including issues with new 20 coins and old 100 notes. A social media post circulating in January and February this year falsely claimed that 10, 20 coins, and old 100 notes were invalid, exacerbating the problem further.