Demonetisation blues still haunting people

Parigi: Even 18 months after demonetisation of high-value currency, the currency problems are still dogging the people especially in rural areas.  At many ATM centers, no cash boards are on display in the town. 

People allege that the banks are filling two ATMs out of 10 in the town and within one hour of filling the cash, people are withdrawing the money so that the machines become empty of cash within an hour of the filling. The leading bank in the district used to get Rs 10 crore every month from the RBI. But, nowadays the bank is getting Rs one crore per week. 

As it being marriage season, if the people approach the banks seeking more money, the bankers are throwing off their hands out of helplessness. It is affecting the purchasing power of the people especially during the current marriage season.  Serpentine queues are seen in front of the banks. For want of cash liquidity, the people are not able to make purchases for marriages and meeting emergencies.

The bank staff are only able to meet only part of the demand and advising the customers to transfer their account to other branches. In fact, new notes of Rs 200 and Rs 50 are not available in the market. On account of consecutive three days holidays for banks beginning Saturday, which is the fourth Saturday in a month, the people are feeling pinched for money.  A resident of the village M Venkataiah urged the officials to keep money in all ATMs as the people are suffering from cash liquidity. 

A resident of Govindapur village Janardhan had to go back to village empty handed as he was unsuccessful to withdraw money from the ATMs as all ATMs in Parigi displayed no cash boards. He cannot even go to banks either as it was a holiday for banks on account of Srirama Navami. At some places, he said, he can use his debit card, but the card is useless to make purchases as far as purchasing goods is considered. 

BY Mohammad Wajid