The government should implement “emergency measures” to alleviate the “great hardship” the public has been facing since Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes were demonetised, Interim Chairman of Tata Sons Ratan Tata said on Thursday. “It may be worthwhile to consider special relief measures similar to those employed at times of national calamities to serve the poorest segment of the population for their daily needs,” the businessman said.

While highlighting that the government was “doing its best to increase the availability of new currency notes”, Ratan Tata emphasised that the “distressed segment” would appreciate such steps, which could include “enabling emergency healthcare/medical treatment in smaller hospitals”. Implementing such measures will indicate that the Centre “has not forgotten the needs of the common man” as the country is struggling to function amid the cash crunch caused by the “important demonetisation programme”.