Hubballi: Fifty-two-year old farm labourer Mallavva Patil of Lakamapur village in Dharwad taluk has been facing severe hardship after the Central government banned Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. She needs to spend a full day to exchange three notes of Rs 500 denomination by waiting in a queue at Syndicate Bank in Yadawad village, situated four km from her native hamlet. She has been living a hand to mouth existence as these notes are her weekly income. She has suspended her work and entered into a verbal dual with the owner of the fair price shop who refused to accept the old notes.
The b an on these notes has dealt a body blow to poor farm labourers and daily wage earners in rural parts of North Karnataka though many youth in the region have welcomed the move of the Central government. The farm labourers have already received wages of last week in the form of old notes. Now, big farmers have suspended the wages this week due to the absence of new currency notes. Due to this, panic has gripped poor farmers who have been struggling to make both ends meet. They are running from pillar to post to exchange the notes due to heavy rush at the banks.
“I earn Rs 150 per day and get wages once in a week. I have received Rs 1,000 wages in the form of two Rs 500 notes. No one in the village is giving us loan in the form of Rs 100 notes though we offered to pledge the old Rs 500 notes. Due to this I will be deprived of sugar, edible oil and other foodgrains from fair price shop which are open only for 4-5 days in a month", Mallavva Patil said.
The restrictions imposed by banks on withdrawal of money will also hit farmers celebrating Gouri Hunnime festival on Monday. Goddess Gowri, wife of Lord Shiva, the mother of Lord Ganesha and Lord Subramanya will be worshipped in every household in rural areas. Now, the absence of money will force them to keep the festival a low-key affar.
