It has been quite a troublesome week for the general public since the announcement of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. While normal life seems to have come to a halt for the common man, there’s one lot whose life has been on the extra work mode — bank employees. Having to forgo off days, work extra four to five hours every day and bear the frustration of customers, they are going through a lot.
According to Shravya Apparla, an assistant manager at the Central Bank of India, Koti, “No one wants to wait in the queue. Everyone wants to be served first. Some fight if they get Rs 2,000 notes. Everyone wants Rs 100 notes. If this is the situation in the main branch, imagine the state in other branches!”
She adds, “Extra employees have been deployed, but with so much happening, those handling cash have to be extra cautious. Any arrear in the accounts, we will have to pay from our pockets.”
Swetha, who works with the Oriental Bank of Commerce, highlights other issues: “Many people want to activate their inactive accounts which adds to the workload. Since non-account holders are also turning up, customers have multiplied tenfold. As against an average of around 100 customers daily, we now serve more than 1,100 people!” Andhra Bank manager Aruna G. shares, “As Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes account to over 60 per cent of the daily transactions, demonetisation has left people helpless. But due to shortage of cash, we too don’t have a choice. Most people want cash in only small denominations as Rs 2000 is not of much use to small-scale businessmen.” But the biggest complication, Shravya shares, is that systems need upgradation to suit the new process. “Money counting machines aren’t compatible with the Rs 2000 notes; counting is done manually. Even the ATMS aren’t calibrated for this new denomination,” she says.
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After the ban of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, bank employees are facing a tough time counting the money manually. Do you think the systems need upgradation? Send us your opinions to info@deccanmail.com
