hitesh Mahajan
JAMMU: Huge rush and long serpentine queues were witnessed on Thursday at all the bank branches in Jammu, which opened after a day’s break, as people jostled to get lower denomination currency and new banknotes.
With ATMs also shutting down soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday night announced withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 rupee notes from circulation in a bid to flush out black money, residents lined-up at banks to get the limited quota of cash they are initially entitled to. Anxious customers thronged the branches much before the opening time–some at the crack of dawn–and had to wait for several hours to complete their transactions with senior citizens also not being spared of hardships.
Long queues were seen outside all bank branches in the Jammu as several of them started dispensing new notes, while several others awaited the arrival of new currency.
Whereas, people who got new notes expressed happiness after receiving them.
Some people were seen queuing up outside various banks in the city as early as 6:00 AM to exchange the old notes.
Rakesh, a shop owner said, “Those who have blackmoney will anyway find methods to get away. It is common man who will suffer. Now we have no option other than waiting in queues as there is no money for basic things as well”.
Several bank officials said most of the branches were witnessing unprecedented huge rush and therefore, they sought the deployment of police personnel to prevent any law and order problem.
“I was in queue for four hours to exchange Rs 4,000 but unfortunately I was permitted only Rs 2,000 to be exchanged that too with Rs 100 denomination,” said Rohit Sharma , who stood in queue since 8:00 AM at J&K Bank Branch in Janipur.
“Demonetisation is a good step and shall prove beneficial for the economy of the country and its people. Although common masses are facing some difficulties during the initial stage but in the long run it will be a win-win scenario for all the nationalists”, said Kunal Gupta, who is a Research Scholar.
“Post offices were yet to receive the new notes and people who went to get their old notes exchanged were only given Rs 100 and Rs 50 denomination notes, said a Post Office employee.
This correspondent was told by Janipur Post Office that they had no instructions or cash to exchange with notes rendered invalid.
