The spectre of demonetisation still hanging on months after the note ban was announced, more than half of the city’s ATMs have remained short of cash for the past few days. Even though the cash chests are being replenished at some intervals the cash is getting exhausted in no time. On Thursday morning, things remained the same with the cash-strapped people running from one ATM to another, desperately trying to lay hands on some cash. Aside from the locals, the tourists are also facing the brunt of things. Wary of carrying cash with them while on tour, they prefer to collect ready cash from the ATMs.
Nearly 300 ATMs being located in the city, over half of them are going dry frequently, landing the people in hardships. Things had improved a bit around two months after the note ban. However, now the things going back to the square one are forcing the people to wonder whether the ATMs remaining dry for days on end is deliberate as part of the Centre’s strategy to make the people switch to cashless mode of economy.
The Syndicate bank ATM based in Kankhal has remained closed for months together. On Thursday morning, a long queue was seen outside the ATM of Vijaya Bank. The ATM of HDFC bank at Ranipur More has been cashless for past one week, particularly during the morning hours. In the afternoon, the chests are replenished to be exhausted in a couple of hours.
Sulaemaaan Aziz from Hero Motocorp found returning from the ATM of Andhra Bank with a gloomy face told The Pioneer that remaining virtually cashless for 10 days, he has been living somehow on money borrowed from his colleagues.
Things are most trying in Shivalik Nagar which is adjacent to SIIDCUl area where thousands are working in over 500 industrial units. During the salary week, they have been facing a major problem in laying their hands on the money they earn by the sweat of their brow.