Chennai: With the majority of the ATMs remaining dry in Chennai on Friday, queues were common in front of the ATMs till late in the night.
With Saturday being a half working day followed by Sunday, account holders also thronged at the banks to withdraw cash and some of them expressed disappointment with the bank managers for not allowing them to withdraw cash up to Rs 24,000 which is allowed as per the Centre’s instruction.
“On Tuesday, I gave a cheque for Rs 20,000 but the bank manager asked me to withdraw Rs 10,000 as there was a shortage of currency. Again on Friday, I wanted to withdraw Rs 14,000 but the cashier insisted on issuing a cheque for a lesser denomination, rued M. Anandan, an account holder with Puraswalkam Indian Overseas Bank.
Traders and fishermen also complained that their business had been adversely affected due to demonetisation.
“Business has been very dull. Only about 50 percent of the sales that I used to have earlier is being done. Due to this, the load of fruits that used to come daily from merchants has been stopped and I get a load once in three days as it is difficult to sell off all fruits. I am selling fruits on credit, and also accepting Rs 2000 notes, but not helping the sales. I do not know if this move will help eliminate corruption, but I know that these are difficult times for a trader” said B. Manivannan, wholesale trader of fruits in Koyambedu market.
Meanwhile, fishermen in Rameswaram who have been on strike protesting against the centre for demonetisation and Friday announced the withdrawal of the strike and said that they would venture into the sea from Saturday.
