Yavatmal: Cash crunch hits farmers, labourers, small shopkeepers

Demonetization-induced cash crunch has left in the lurch a large section of society, including farmers, labourers and small shopkeepers, in Yavatmal, known as ground zero of suicides by farmers. The recall of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes has affected the usual business in weekly markets as well as agricultural produce marketing committees (APMCs) in the district, besides the bullock market.

The labourers are bearing the brunt as they are getting paid only in Rs 2,000 notes due to paucity of Rs 500 and Rs 100 tenders. The labourers are finding it difficult to manage their daily expenses as shopkeepers are turning them away citing lack of loose change. "How will we feed our children?," asked Ramu Madavi, a local shopkeeper.

Same is the ordeal of scrap merchants, vegetable vendors and other small sellers. Farmers in the weekly bullock market have a similar story to narrate. "Bullocks are brought from distant places on hired vehicles and if they are not sold, how can we pay the fare?" questioned Vinod Kapse.

A farmer, Vilas Pande, said "I have come to buy a pair of bullocks. I agreed to buy one for the price mutually accepted by the owner and me. But when I said, I would pay the price through a bank cheque, he refused saying give me Rs 10,000 less but it should be in hard cash." A local vendor said, "vegetables are perishing for want of buyers."