People in Noida and Greater Noida were in a state of panic following Government's decision to demonetise notes of Rs500 and Rs1,000. Majority of the people welcomed the move but also complained of inconvenience in buying fast moving consumers goods (FMCG) and essential commodities.
Some of the residents were forced to deposit Rs500 to Rs1,000 at outlets for their daily needs as the shop keepers expressed helplessness in the flow of hard cash. "I faced problems as I could not buy articles for daily use. Everyone was approaching shops. Shopkeepers, however, accepted the notes as deposit and gave goods," said Amarpal Singh Solanki, a resident of Sector-12, Noida.
Inconvenience was also reported by people at metro stations on Wednesday due to shortage of Rs100 notes even DMRC was directed to accept it. Traffic jams and fights with toll collectors were seen at Jewer toll plaza at Yamuna Expressway, when they declined to accept Rs500 and 1,000 from the commuters. The situation was same at the petrol pumps and CNG pumps in the twin cities.
There is no railway station in Noida but the same problem was seen at reservation counters in Noida Sector-33.
"I was not aware about the decision until 11 pm on Tuesday night. People were rushing to buy vegetables from my shop. Earlier, I exchanged their cash but later I was left with no cash. People should have told me as I am illiterate," Ramvati who runs vegetable shop in Mayur Vihar Phase-III said.