NONGPOH: The demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes by the Central Government has crippled down business establishments and daily transactions in Ri Bhoi District especially in the headquarters at Nongpoh.
Most of the SBI customers, while sharing their grievances with media persons, said that they are not satisfied with the services being offered to them by the SBI Nongpoh Branch as only two counters for both withdrawal and deposit of cash are available at the Branch. This has resulted in a tedious banking process as the people have to stand for two to three hours in a queue before getting their turn.
One of the customers suggested that the branch should have opened extra cash counters to facilitate speedy transactions for its customers who are standing in long queues especially since Nongpoh serves as the headquarters of the District.
Speaking to media persons outside the bank premises, EK Lapang, headman of Saiden village, Opel Lyngdoh, advisor of Nongpoh Town Committee, OB Ranee president of RAWA and Jesterwell Umbah, a local resident of Umlaper village also echoed similar views stating that the Nongpoh Branch should have opened extra cash counters in order to ease the difficulties and hardships faced by the general public.
They also said that despite having a Cash Deposit Machine and an ATM at the branch, most of the public opted for the cash counter service inside the branch as withdrawing and depositing cash at the ATM and CDM machine was limited and not as per the requirements of the general public.
The Chief Manager of SBI Nongpoh Branch, Dharmananda Banai while speaking with media persons on the issue, informed that extra counters could not be opened due to shortage of employees, while stressing that the SBI customers should opt for the CDM and ATM machine available outside the branch for depositing and withdrawing money instead of standing in a long queue inside the branch.
He also said that as per the current strength of employees, no extra counters can be opened, while suggesting that this matter should be taken with higher authority of the bank.
