Nagpur: The post demonetisation effect is only getting worse with the approaching deadline of December 30 given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The cash situation is yet to improve as several ATMs in the city are still shut with banks in no hurry to restart them.
“The ATM has not started since the ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. It was only filled with cash thrice in the initial days. No one from the bank has come to visit the ATM since then,” said Mohommad, owner of a shop besides the ATM at Jhansi Rani Chowk.
The extended weekend forced closure of most of the ATMs due to cash shortage, but some of them are long forgotten by the banks. “There are 15 ATMs in Mankapur and Zingabai Takli and all of them are closed since a month. People of these areas are facing inconvenience on a large scale,” said Deepak Gire, social activist from Zingabai Takli.
Many ATMs in areas such as Sitabuldi, Wardha Road, Congress Nagar square and near Ajni railway station have not reopened since demonetisation. “People come to us asking where can they find ATMs. But most of the ATMs on this road are closed since demonetisation which the rest that are open shut down in three hours. How are people supposed to get money when ATMs are closed?” asked Uttam Kakde, a shopkeeper besides the ATM on Shivaji Science College Road.
As ATMs of many major banks are shut as the recalibration process is still underway, the supply of cash is less. “It is true that some of the ATMs have not been recalibrated and the flow of cash is less in the system,” said a source in Union Bank.
Moreover, the extended weekend is also causing problems to customers as well as bankers. Even as bankers got some relief from their hectic schedule, they are expecting more rush in banks on Tuesday.
“It was indeed a much-needed holiday after a long time. The rush at the bank is showing no signs of reduction. We are expecting a long day on Tuesday. As cashless transactions have increased, people are using cheques for payments. So, we have to work hard to scrutinize cheques as no false transaction can take place,” said Manjiri Abhyankar, a senior official at SBI.
“No ATM in Nagpur or even other places in the country can be fully filled with cash as the government has not provided enough money to banks. The RBI should present all the statistics of cash that it provided in Nagpur and Vidarbha,” said Milind Wasnik, an official of Union Bank.
