Vijayawada: The state government failed to implement cashless transactions in the Secretariat even after continuous reviews by the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Lack of swiping machines in the canteen is a problem as employees are carrying Rs 2,000 notes. This situation was not only in the Secretariat but also in all the government organisations.
Secretariat employee Ch. Sudhakar said, “With the demonetisation, we are only availing '2,000 currency notes but the lunch cost is only about '50 for which we are unable to draw the change and could not even exchange it from colleagues as they were facing the same issue. Added to this problem, we are going back without lunch and are starving.”
P. Mamatha, another employee, said the state government is announcing the implementation of e-Pos system in many domains but it is necessary to implement it even in the Secretariat canteen to facilitate employees and visitors. She also said, “As there are no other food courts and fast food centres we don’t have any other option other than go without lunch.”
The canteen cashier said it is becoming very difficult to arrange change for every one as they are coming with high denomination note of '2,000. “Very few employees are giving the change for meals. I hope it is time when we should implement e-Pos system. We are feeling bad when the employees and visitors are leaving without meals because of no change,” he added.
With cash circulation still under strain, officials have decided to step up the cashless payments by getting swiping machines for all the departments where the payments are received.
