The demonetisation of Rs500 and Rs1,000 currency notes has taken toll on the retail purchase in the national Capital. While people faced inconvenience in buying milk, vegetables and medicines, commuting in auto-rickshaws and taxis gave them headache for want of smaller currency notes.
There was chaos outside outlets of Mother Dairy, Safal and other Government-run cooperative stores, besides State-run hospitals, railway stations, Delhi Metro and fuel filling stations which are allowed to accept Rs500 and Rs1000 notes till Friday. The petrol pumps were flooded with harried consumers and toll plazas saw long queues.
It was a hotly debated topic among commuters on Delhi Metro, buses, where many of them favoured the move, expecting it to bring desired results while others criticised the Government for the “needless harassment”.
Daily wagers and lowly workers were the worst affected, while roadside kiosks, vegetable sellers, small traders and hawkers were gripped with anxiety, notwithstanding Government’s calls to avoid panic. Even major markets like Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Chandni Chowk, Khan Market, lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, Kamla Nagar looked deserted. Shopkeepers huddled to discuss how Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s crackdown on black money had ruined their day. “A few are interested in sales today, the more important subject is how can you exchange Rs 500 and Rs1,000 currency notes,” said a shopkeeper at lajpat Nagar.
Many customers had to return empty-handed as shopkeepers refused to accept Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 notes.
The problem was aggravated as ATMs remained closed on Wednesday. Commuting gave major headache as taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers refused to accept the demonetised currency notes.
Rehman, 45, who travels from Wazirabad to Nehru Place for work, said, “I am only left with Rs 300 (three Rs 100 notes) in my pocket, and we have no reserve at home.”
long queues were witnessed at petrol pumps. But most filling stations asked customers to buy fuel in multiples of Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 due to shortage of cash in smaller denominations.
A housewife, Malvika, who could not buy milk as the shopkeeper refused accepting Rs 500 note, said, “This is really frustrating. We cannot buy anything despite having money in our hand. I feel that I have lost all the money which I saved from my husband’s salary. I have withdrawn Rs 15,000 to pay school fees for my children. Now school authorities have refused to take the notes.”
Some shopkeepers have even come up with innovative ideas to con people. A hawker who sells bangles announced, “Give me Rs 500 note and I will give you a pair of bangles in return. Give me Rs 1,000 and I will give you three. Exclusive offer!”
When asked why he is trying to cheat people, he explains, “I am trying to help them. Their notes are now useless. I am in fact taking the useless note in exchange for my bangles.” He added with a laugh, “If I do not fool people, how will I feed my stomach for the next two days.”