Foreign currency exchange counters opened in Raxaul

Motihari: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday opened two foreign currency exchange counters in Raxaul, a city of international importance along India-Nepal border, in two separate functions. The counters would facilitate tourists to exchange foreign currencies before entering Nepal.Sujit Kumar Arvind, regional director of RBI, Patna, while inaugurating the two counters at SBI and HDFC branches in Raxaul, said tourists travelling to and from Nepal through Raxaul Integrated Custom Checkpost, who previously faced difficulties in exchanging foreign currencies, will get fair dealing. Due to lack of authorised facilities, people had to resort to money exchange centres in Birgunj or wander around. This facility at the Indian border is expected to provide relief to tourists.Arvind, while replying to a query, said the govt is planning to exchange Nepali currency at these counters and it will shape after govt’s decision.Sheo Kumar Yadav, GM of RBI; Prafull Kumar Jha, deputy GM of RBI and Sanjeev Kumar Singh, an RBI officer, also addressed these functions. They said foreign currency exchange counters at Raxaul border is being considered a major achievement for Raxaul, as they will strengthen the city`s position as an international trade and tourism hub.Mahesh Agrawal, state coordinator of Seema Jagran Manch, said it is a welcome step to open foreign currency exchange counters but the real need here is an authorised system to exchange Nepali and Indian currencies.