No separate Dashain currency exchange notice this year, ATMs to dispense Rs 100 notes

Nepal Rastra Bank will not issue a separate formal notice this year specifying dates for exchanging new and small-denomination notes for Dashain.

According to central bank Executive Director Anuj Dahal, the old practice of announcing note exchange dates tied to festivals has been discontinued. Exchange facilities will now be available during regular office hours based on market demand.

A formal notice was also not issued because of the natural disasters, though new notes are being made available for personal and business purposes. Dahal said the central bank has sufficient notes in stock and will distribute clean used notes if new ones run short.

Meanwhile, following a request from Rastra Bank, banks and financial institutions have started dispensing Rs 100 notes from ATMs as well. Until now, ATMs mainly dispensed Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. Banks have adjusted machines to offer this facility at some ATMs in the Kathmandu Valley, including at Singha Durbar and New Road. Dahal said banks have been asked to stock Rs 100 notes in ATMs for the convenience of students and the general public.