Blocked roads, closed ATMs greet cash-strapped crowds

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Nov 12, 2016, DHNS: Queues stretched out on the roads for a second day on Friday as banks gave out new notes for old, and accepted deposits of demonetised currency.

Vehicles parked in front of banks and ATMs blocked roads and caused traffic jams in several areas. Hours before banks opened, people had lined up outside.

Old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes can be used till November 14 to buy fuel and medicines and pay utility bills and taxes, the government announced on Friday. The exemption from toll on national highways will also continue till the midnight of Monday, thanks to the 72-hour extension.

Many who went to the ATMs found they had not been filled. K Rajan, the only one waiting outside an ATM of HDFC Bank in Indiranagar, said, “The staff told me money would be available from noon. I don’t have any cash left, so I am going to wait here till then.”
A bank employee said, “We get priority. Once banks are supplied with cash, the machines are filled.”

By afternoon, the only people at the ATMs were those out to deposit money.


Friday being the second day of trading in old notes for new, people were better informed about the procedures, but tempers ran high when customers tried to jump queues.
“We try to let senior citizens and women move ahead, but others get annoyed,” a bank employee said. The afternoon saw bigger crowds as people used their lunch break to visit banks.

With currency in short supply, people walked from one bank to another, photocopies of identification proof in hand, trying to exchange their money. Premium banks served only account-holders. A Corporation Bank employee said, “At the end of the day, we have to give the RBI an account of how many Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes we have received. These banks don’t want the bother of sifting through so many applications and calculating the total.”

Some customers were excited to receive new Rs 2,000 notes. But not everyone was happy. “It used to be difficult to get change for Rs 500 and Rs 1,000. Now where can I get change for Rs 2,000?” said Nagendra P S, who received two such notes. Bank staff didn’t entertain requests for change.