Demonetization: Shorter queues, but cash dispensing machines running dry

Queues at most of the ATMs and banks across the city were shorter than expected on Wednesday though there were complaints that cash dispensing machines were either dry or shut and customers could not draw the maximum permissible amount.

When asked about the situation, Central Bank Executive Director RC Lodha said, "We have made adequate arrangements to meet the higher demand for cash as salaries would be credited into customers account (as the month turns). In our bank there would be no shortage of cash." However, many customers who went to banks today to withdraw money for their monthly expenses, a day ahead of the salary day, complained that they got very less cash, much below the withdrawal limit. "I managed to get only Rs 4,000 this morning against the withdrawal limit of Rs 24,000 as I was told that there was hardly any cash supply to the banks in the last few days. I will have to wait and try my luck later in the day," said Swamy, a South Mumbai resident.

Barring banks with huge customer base, the turnouts were lower as compared to the initial days of note ban. But in some places, the rush increased in the afternoon after banks were replenished with cash to meet customer demands amid fears of heightened crunch due to salary payments. Many others complained about ATMs being shut in their area for a fortnight while some others said they were being given coins during high withdrawals. "There are 4-5 ATMs of leading banks in my locality. But they have been shut since over a week, being dry on cash," said Animesh, a resident of Andheri.

However, they were a few who seemed to be unfazed by the cash chaos resulting out of the demonetization move. According to a Bhandup resident Hemang Palan, the situation on the ground has improved significantly compared to the panic in initial days leading to marginal rush and queues outside banks. "The situation was chaotic in initial days but not now. I think people have realised that this move to demonetise high denomination notes is in the larger benefit of the people and hence they are bearing with the decision," he said.

Also, public has come to terms with the fact that it may take some more days to resolve the crisis entirely as most of the ATMs are yet to be recalibrated.  Nitin Sharma, a budding artist said, one has to bear some pain to get some gain in the coming months. "Me and my retired father did face difficulties in first few days, but there is no such rush or mismanagement. Bigger customer base banks, undoubtedly, are having a bit rush but they have streamlined their services and there are separate queues for senior citizens," he said.

However, some people expressed their displeasure over the design and parity of new notes. A senior doctor working with a government hospital said, "I withdrew some thousands. Though there was no rush outside the bank, I was shocked to find disparity in the note designs. For a few seconds, I thought it was fake. Then I downloaded the Narendra Modi Keynote app and confirmed it by running Modi's speech after scanning it." He also claimed that situation of cash crisis was improving fast.