Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley inaugurates an exhibition on the “Coin and Currency of India” in the Great Hall of North Block

Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley inaugurates an exhibition on the “Coin and Currency of India” in the Great Hall of North Block; Exhibition depicts how money has changed in appearance and substance and evolved from barter to coins to the present day bank notes and e-money 


The Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley, inaugurated an exhibition on the “Coin and Currency of India” in the Great Hall of North Block here today. The Exhibition was organised by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. It is for the First time that such an exhibition has been organised in this historic Hall which is otherwise used as a common passage to cross from one side of North Block to other side. This Exhibition depicts how money has changed in appearance and substance and evolved from barter to coins to the present day bank notes and e-money. The exhibition depicts the many names of money, some of which have gone into oblivion and some are in use even today. . The Exhibition presents a brief history of the Great Hall as well. 



Speaking on the occasion, the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley said that this exhibition would help in knowing the history of evolution of currency in the country. He congratulated the Department for its innovative initiative and hoped that this Great Hall will also be used for multiple purpose in future as well which in turn would help in restoring its old grandeur. Shri Jaitley said that this exhibition and alternate usage of the Great Hall as an Atrium where officers of all Departments of the Ministry have came together before the Budget for 2016-17 is also for the first time. 



Shri Mohan Joseph, CGA who had co-authored a book with Shri Dhirendra Singh, a former Home Secretary titled ‘Sentinels of Raisina Hill’ and Shri Razack, author of book titled "Indian Paper Money" presented a copy each of their respective book to the Finance Minister on the occasion 



Earlier speaking on the occasion, Shri Ratan P. Watal, Finance Secretary said that this initiative is part of the PM’s call for a Swachh Bharat, as this initiative would also help in keeping our office environment clean. He said that one of our targets for cleanliness has been this Great Hall of North Block whose top stone was laid on 30th September, 1927. This area had become no man’s land between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. He said that we have taken it upon as a mission to not only keep this place clean but also restore the memories of its legacy. 

As regards the Exhibition, Finance Secretary Shri Watal said that as a first, we put together with the well coordinated help of the RBI, CPWD, CISF, the Indian Army, Staff of DoE, Customs & Excise Officers and inputs from Mr. Rezwan Razack this Exhibition about the history of coinage and currency in India. He said that ‘Money’ is one of the greatest contributions of the human mind. He said that essentially it is a culturally construct which is still evolving with the demands, complexion and constraints of modern societies. He said that through this exhibition, people will see images of coinage and money not only as a medium of exchange but also get a sense of history. He concluded that Indian coinage has played a crucial role in documenting political and economic changes over time. 

Shri Shakti Kanta Das, Secretary, DEA, Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, Secretary, Revenue, Shri Neeraj Kumar Gupta, Secretary, Disinvestment, Dr Arvind Subramanian, CEA and other senior officers of the Ministry of Finance were also present on the occasion. 

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Collection of Authority Slips for Economic Survey and General Budget on 23rd and 24th February, 2016 



The Union Finance Minister will present the ‘General Budget 2016-17’ on Monday, 29thFebruary, 2016 in Lok Sabha, while ‘Economic Survey 2015-16’ will be laid in Parliament onFriday, 26th February, 2016. The hard copies of both documents i.e. General Budget & Economic Survey will be supplied to media persons at the designated places in Parliament House as well as at National Media Centre. We are every year distributing the hard copies of the Economic Survey and Union Budget only to PIB accredited correspondents. Both the documents will be made available on the website of Finance Ministry (finmin.nic.in) as well as PIB website (pib.nic.in) immediately after the Economic Survey is tabled in Parliament and Finance Minister’s Budget Speech is over in Lok Sabha.

Besides it, Press Releases, info-graphics, posts on Finance Ministry's facebook, tweets and videos on offical Youtube Channel of the Ministry of Finance (including FM'S Budget Speech) etc relating to both the aforesaid documents will also be uploaded immediately on social media platforms of the Ministry of Finance and PIB etc.

It is worthwhile to mention here that a decision has also been taken by the Standing Committee of Parliament to reduce the number of printed copies of Budget sets and make it available on line. Therefore, this year only limited Copies of Economic Survey and Budget Sets are being printed.

In view of position explained above, we would be able to give NOT more than three (3) sets each of both the aforesaid documents to any one media organization. We seek your cooperation in this regard. Editors and Bureau Chief are requested to accordingly send the seleced three PIB Accredited Correspondents/Reporters for collecting the same. Distribution of Authority Slips would start on 23rd February and the same can be collected Only by PIB Accredited Correspondent(s) from office of Director (Press Facility), PIB, Room No. 107, National Media Centre, New Delhi from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on 23rd and 24th February, 2016 by presenting their PIB Accreditation card.Authority Slips will be given against PIB accreditation cards only (one slip on one card) and not exceeding three to any one media organization as mentioned above.

In Parliament House, only one copy would be given to each one presenting the authority slip in person. Remaining ones can collect their copies from National Media Centre after 3pm onwards. It is also requested to carry your PIB Accreditation Card at the time of presenting the slip.