Chennai: As the news of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes spread like wildfire, people thronged nearby ATMs to withdraw currency with denomination of '100. Not everyone was lucky. Within minutes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing a slew of measures to curb corruption and black money, people stepped out of their homes to stock their wallets with Rs 100 notes.
“I rushed to an ATM immediately since I had three Rs 1000 notes and one Rs 500 note. I badly wanted Rs 100 notes since the money that I possess now will be invalid since midnight and I was fortunate,” Rajkumar, a civil services aspirant, said.
A huge rush could be seen outside almost all ATMs in every neighbourhood in the city with people scrambling to stock up Rs 100 notes for spending.
“I just could not believe my ears when I heard the news. I thought it was hoax but when I turned on my television set I realised it myself. Though it would curb corruption, but the move came as a surprise,” Saravanan of Madipakkam said.
The announcement that banks and ATMs would not function on Wednesday has also shocked people who were hoping to carry out financial transaction in the coming days.
“How do I withdraw money if I need it for an urgent need on Wednesday or Thursday? The Government says ATMs will not work on Wednesday and Thursday and it has come as a surprise. I have no problems but I think this will cause lot of inconvenience to people across the country,” he said.
