Chemicals of indelible ink used at bank cash counters

NEW DELHI. INDIA: On Tuesday 15th Nov 2016, Government of India announced it is going to use indelible ink at the cash counter where the old bank notes of 500 and 1,000 Rupees are being exchanged. The move taken by the Government is very necessary because it has been noticed that the facility of note exchange is being misused by several black money holders. 

The indelible ink which is utilised here is same as the ink used in Indian Election times, the ink will remain at least for 72 hours once marked on your finger. It helps authorities to figure out the malpractices that is happening everywhere. The ink contains few important chemicals that’ll stick firmly and remains for a prolonged period of time. Silver Nitrate is the chemical which is mixed with black ink solution when the solution is applied on your finger it turns to silver chloride as a result of chemical reaction.

Silver chloride once sticks on to your finger cannot be removed so easily and disappears only when external skin cells are replaced. Silver Nitrate reacts with the salt present on your skin after which silver chloride is formed. And, importantly silver chloride is insoluble in water & never dissolves with water or any other solution.

The election ink comprises 10 percent, 14 percent or 18 percent silver nitrate solution, the proportion depends on the duration of time the mark is required to be visible. Election ink is sometimes mixed with alcohol for fast drying, and also biocide is blended to ensure the bacteria is not transferred if dipping bottles are used for staining purpose. Usually the election ink is violet in colour, however, it turns to black or brown colour when it comes in contact with the sunlight.

In India Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited (MPVL) is the only company that has the authority to make indelible ink. MPVL is a Government of Karnataka undertaking and is situated in the city of Mysore, India. Ministry of finance has approached MPVL asking for the supply of indelible ink with large quantity.

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