Bank managers and officials shared the ordeal that they had to undergo during the same period last year, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the historic decision to demonitise high-valued currency notes. They had to say that it took quite some time for everyone to get used to the changing situation. Some bank officials were also of the view that on a personal level, it was the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which pinched them the most than demonetisation. After GST, they had to shell out more for everything than before.
“We got used to angry faces of people standing in long queues outside the bank. We literally had to work with our hearts in our hands as we could have been attacked by agitated people anytime. But we were determined to put up our best show, just like the cricketers of the Indian cricket team,” laughed Brajesh Mishra, Bank Manager of the Central Bank of India in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar, on recalling the initial days after the announcement of demonetisation.
Sitting comfortably without a frown on his forehead, Mishra said, “The bank looks so empty now. It has been one year since and just like how we keep moving on, we forgot the harrowing time we went through. We got used to the new notes. But last year, in December, I remember, a hugely built man barged into my office to attack me as he could not get the required money for his daughter’s wedding.”
The Pioneer team went around the capital city, talking to bank officials and managers of various banks to recall their experience in dealing with the ‘emergency-like’ situation.
Suggesting a solution to the problem they had to face a year back, Ramesh Kapoor, Branch Manager of Allahabad Bank in south Delhi’s Saket, said, “There could have been a better way to deal with the situation. Just like how the Union Government introduced the Rs 200 and Rs 50 notes, keeping old Rs 50 notes as a legal tender and not removing Rs 100 notes completely, they could have used a similar scheme back then. We would not have to face much of the problem.”
Meanwhile, other bank officials were of the view that while demonetisation had its own set of problems, after GST, our personal financial were affected.
“During demonetisation, the situation was completely chaotic. We had to go through so much of hardships, sometimes even working till midnight. Apart from regular banking, we had to bear the ire of the people who would stand in long queues for hours. So, managing the agitating people along with the police was a difficult task and it was hampering our social lives as well,” said Ritu Chhabra, who was clearing cheque transfers of some people at ICICI bank in Sarojini Nagar.
“Talking about social lives after GST got introduced, I don’t understand how it helped us as we are paying more when it comes to going to restaurants and bars. Basically, we are paying more as taxes yet, our salary is still the same,” said Chhabra with disappointment write large on her face.