I FULLY endorse the views expressed by a letter writer regarding soiled currency notes (Aug 14). He is right in pointing out that soiled currency notes are the carrier of germs.

It is deplorable that despite the appearance of several letters in these columns and a convincing report filed by your correspondent some time back under the headline ‘Currency notes spread diseases’, the authorities concerned of the State Bank of Pakistan have taken no notice regarding it.

According to a study carried out by the Microbiology Department of the Karachi University a few years back, the use of contaminated currency notes could cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, besides skin burn and septicaemic infection. Besides, the contaminated notes may act as a potential source of infection with antibiotic resistance.

Many freshly- minted notes are sold daily by brokers outside State Bank branches at a premium. These are mostly bought by traders who use them for making wedding garlands. The government must ban the practice to increase the supply of brand new notes for the public.

Will the finance minister take notice and direct State Bank officials concerned to immediately withdraw dirty and soiled notes? Besides, it should have a counter opened at the branches of all banks where customers could exchange their old notes with freshly minted ones?

R. R. ALVI Karachi