SHILLONG: Over three weeks after the Centre’s decision to demonetize Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes, the situation in the city is yet to normalize.
While the people in general are struggling to acquire enough cash for their day-to-day expenses, shopkeepers too are among the worst hit. Most of the business houses still rue that they do not have access to enough change even though the smaller denomination of Rs 500 note is now available in the ATMs. Many shopkeepers also say that the Rs 2000 note which is readily available in ATMs has added to the problem.
“Shortage of Rs 500 and Rs 100 notes has made transactions difficult,” some shopkeepers said.
On the other hand, it is seen that many shops in the city have installed ‘Paytm money wallet’ but a huge chunk of the population is not acquainted with the idea of using the app.
A visit to the ATMs also reveals that though the queues have shortened, there is still an anxiety among people for want of smaller denomination notes.
People also complained that Rs 500 and Rs 100 notes were hardly available in any of the ATMs across the city.
When contacted, officials from the State Bank of India (SBI) said that some supply of Rs 500 notes has been received from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and “it will be put into the system”.
The official also said that the bank is augmenting the supply of notes of denomination 500 and 100 wherever there is a requirement.
The official added that people, out of fear, are now not putting Rs 100 denomination note into the market thus leading to its shortage. “People need to circulate their notes and the situation would be normal soon,” the official claimed.
Shortage of change with some private bank branches has also added to the crisis, noted an observer.
