New Delhi: The impact of government withdrawing Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes from circulation was visible across Delhi with people facing inconvenience in buying milk, vegetables, medicines and other daily essentials and in commuting in auto-rickshaws and taxis.
There was chaos outside outlets of Mother Dairy, Safal and some other government-run cooperatives besides state-run hospitals, railway stations and petrol pumps which were allowed to accept Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes till Friday.
As ATMs and banks were closed today, harried people explored various options to get smaller denominations notes such as Rs 100 and Rs 50 which were in short supply due to the heavy demand.
While there has been unnecessary panic among certain sections, small traders, rickshaw pullers, taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers said they have been hit hard due to "shortage" of smaller denomination notes as well as anxiety among people. Last night, long queues were seen outside ATMs to get Rs 100 notes.
While passengers faced inconvenience at metro stations in the morning hours as notices were pasted regarding government's decision on currency, later it was announced that old-high denomination notes will be accepted at metro stations till Saturday.
Long queues were witnessed at petrol pumps as well but in most filling stations, people were asked to buy fuel in multiples of Rs 500 or Rs 1000 due to short of cash in smaller denominations.
"I got petrol filled for Rs 1300 but they refused to return me Rs 200. When I argued they asked me to give change of Rs 300," said Sonakshi Bhalla, a Gurgaon resident who commutes to Noida for work. Chiranjeevi Arora, an IT professional, claimed, "The metro people refused to accept Rs 500 notes even after the government announced that DMRC should accept them."
The government had yesterday, after withdrawing all Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes in circulation, announced that the old high denomination currency would continue to be accepted for next 72 hours at certain public utilities.
These include government hospitals, pharmacies in government hospitals, railway ticketing counters, ticket counters of public transport, airline ticketing counters at airports, milk booths, cremetoria/burial grounds, petrol pumps and gas stations.
The situation outside grocery stores was similar in most of the areas across Delhi as people having Rs 500 and Rs 1000 could not buy essential commodities while those at Safal and Mother Dairy outlets also had at difficult time.
"For benefit of consumers we have increased the circulation of SBI cash cards specifically meant for Safal and Mother Dairy stores. At the same time, we are also pushing for acceptance of payments through PayTM," Mother Dairy Managing Director S Nagarajan said.
A section of people travelling by auto-rickshaw and taxis were also finding it difficult to commute.
"We can't give Rs 500 to an autowallah if we have to pay Rs 320 and we don't have change. Some auto drivers are not taking saying the note is just a paper now," said Bhagyashree Nanda, a housewife. Ridhima Sebastian, a nurse in a Gurgaon hospital, said,
"The problem is not that we don't have money. The problem is we have it but we still can't use it. The ATMs are closed and even after two days the limit is Rs 2000. How can an entire family survive on that?"
But the people using credit cards and other online payment platforms to pay fares were not having any difficulty.
As smaller denomination notes were in high demand, internet-savvy people were also preferring to order groceries and vegetables through popular online portals.
Heavy rush was seen at chemist shops in government hospitals which have been allowed to accept the higher denomination currency notes.
Delhi metro commuters too faced a harrowing time on Wednesday due to shortage of Rs 100 notes, even as DMRC accepted notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination for travel card recharge in lumpsum.
Rehman, 45, who travels from Wazirabad to Nehru Place for work, said, "I am only left with Rs 300 (three Rs 100 notes) in my pocket, and we have no reserve amount at home. At metro, I can't get my card recharged for lower amount."
"As per finance ministry, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes wouldbe acceptable for 72 hours, i.e., till midnight of November 11 at all metro stations for token and card purchase or recharge.
However, there is a shortage of Rs 100 notes in our coffer as well, so we are not in a position to give back the change," a senior DMRC official said.
The customer-care centres at metro stations are accepting higher denomination currency notes for card recharge, but with riders.
"Our minimum card recharge is for Rs 200 otherwise, but in view of shortage of Rs 100 notes, we are only accepting a recharge of Rs 500 in lumpsum, paid through the note. Also, for commuters, with zero or negative balance in their cards, can tender a Rs 1,000 note," a DMRC staff said. Another staff member at the busy Central Secretariat station, who sits at the token counter, said, "We are not saying no to anyone, bringing a Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 note, but how do we give back the change, we are out of Rs 100 notes."
The Token Vendoring Machines (TVMs) installed at various stations are also only accepting notes of Rs 100 denomination only as of now, the senior DMRC official said, adding, they otherwise accept Rs 500 as well.
"I had less than Rs 10 left in my metro card, when I reached Central Secretariat station. It was a big queue at the customer care. Since, I only had a Rs 1000 note with me and my balance went into negative, I had to get it recharged for that amount only," said, Namita, another commuter.
Many commuters complained that Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination notes were "not being accepted at customer care centre in the morning."
Long queues were also spotted at customer care centres at Kashmere Gate Metro Station too.
"At Kashmere Gate Metro Station, when I gave Rs 500 for recharge, the staff refused to accept it. Only, when he talked to his senior, that my note was accepted," said Pawan Singh, an IT professional who works in Gurugram.
The government had yesterday, after withdrawing all Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes in circulation, announced that the old high denomination currency would continue to be accepted for next 72 hours at certain public utilities.
