Patience running thin with things remaining the same even after 27 days having passed since the Prime Minister announced demonetisation drive, the people are now being found squabbling with the bank officials in Dehardun. Pay week on, many were found queuing up in snaking lines outside the banks and the ATM kiosks. However, the situation being dismal with the banks and ATMs turning dry in no time, the people’s patience seems to be waning.
At Premnagar, local residents staged a protest at SBI bank on Monday noonafter the bank officials said that the cash not being adequate, it would be distributed among those who had accounts in the branch. Tempers fraying, they barged into the branch and abused the bank officials. They said that they would not return without being paid cash. “We are aware of the fact that the bank officials are depriving us of the cash to favour their relatives and acquaintances. The cash we are receiving when luck favours us amounts to mere `5000,” said Rajiv who was found shouting at the bank officials.
In view of things erupting into tension, Premnagar police acted swiftly and shoved the unhappy crowd outside the bank.
Sounding worried, Rajesh Sah, a Premnagar police station officer, said that such incidents recurring, they were on their guard.
Premnagar resident Ashish Bahuguna said, “We continue to suffer to withdraw money from banks or ATMs despite 27 days having passed since the announcement was made. We are sure that the bank officials are responsible for the mess we are in. We are bearing the brunt of their favouritism towards their relatives and the powerful. We would no longer brook such nonsense,” he said.
Mukesh Ramola, resident of Uttarkashi and working as constable in Prem Nagar, said that the people’s grievances were justified. “I for one, in dire need of money, approached a bank official. He asked me to come the next day. However, the next day is eluding me as I am returning empty-handed day after day,” he said.
Ramesh Bisht, resident of Sahastradhara, said that the people were losing their patience. “This is normal. They put up with things for so many days, hoping that things would look up soon. However, they are going from bad to worse,” he said.
Subodh Singh, living in rented accommodation at Karanpur, said that despite the city having so many ATMs, the people are suffering with the machines not being replenished regularly. “Things might turn worse if things continue to be so,” he warned.