Families with upcoming weddings had thought that the RBI’s announcement to allow withdrawal up to Rs2.5 lakh would bring succour to them post demonetisation. However, their hopes were dashed as cash-strapped banks have failed to disburse the amount to families where wedding ceremonies are due. Parents of would-be brides and groom are shuttling from one bank to others in despair every day, forcing them to postpone the wedding of their sons or daughters.
Octogenarian Harpal Doyal, a resident of Naya Gaon, said the marriage of his two granddaughters — Sonia and Rakhi — is to be solemnised on December 8. Holding one wedding card, Doyal and his wife have been standing in the long queues daily since the RBI issued the guidelines but with little success.
Sharing his plight, an emotional Doyal said, “My two granddaughters are my responsibility as their mother is no more. I want to marry off them before leaving this world.” Doyal wept inconsolably while narrating his plight. “Now I am left with no option but to postpone the wedding date. I am talking to the parents of the grooms to fix a suitable date so that money could be arranged,” he added.
“After sudden death of their mother, I decided to look after both the granddaughters, sent them to schools to complete their education. I cannot withdraw my own money from my back account,” Doyal said with a choked voice.
Villagers alleged that many banks in these areas are either cashless or flooded with unprecedented crowd, forcing them to look for other options. Many of them said they are trying to borrow money from private lenders but they too are short on cash.
“Our social prestige is at stake and if the marriage is cancelled due to shortage of money, our reputation will be tarnished,” said Nand Kishor Yadav of Badhshahpur village.
“The Government has fixed Rs2.5 lakh ceiling for withdrawal for a marriage. It’s a just peanut if we take catering, tent, band and other aspects of a marriage ceremony. Shopping has already been delayed as we do not have new currency notes with us. Apart from that the would-be bride has to be given furniture, cloths and other household items but we are unable to do so,” lamented Brahmdev of Teepli village.
“Using debit and credit cards for shopping is not a feasible option for farmers as we prefer to buy items from the local markets and cash has been only mode of transaction for ages,” said Rama Chaudhari of Hakimpur village.
Joginder Kumar (Gujjar) of Badshahpur, whose daughter Kanchan Kumari is to be married on December 10, 2016, said, “Time is running out and I am trying to fix another date for the marriage of my daughter and hope to arrange money by that time.”
Babli Doi, a farmer who resides in Dhumaspur village, said that his daughter’s marriage is scheduled in December and still no arrangement has been made because of the shortage of cash.
“I had deposited all my earnings in banks and now I am running from pillar to post for getting my own money back. I even approached bank manager of Syndicate
Bank with marriage card and requested him to consider the seriousness of this matter but all my efforts have gone in vain. Now asking relatives and friends to lend me some money,” said Doi.
The Pioneer spoke to the branch managers of Federal Bank and Syndicate Bank. They said that their branch was given Rs 5 lakh and Rs 4 lakh in new notes respectively on daily basis and that was too little to distribute among the account holders.
“How can we satisfy all our customers under these circumstancesIJ There are a number of people coming with demand for cash immediately. How can we provide the desired cash to everyoneIJ So we are trying to convince people to withdraw only Rs 10,000 so that everyone can go home with something in their pockets,” said Sl Piplia, Branch manager of Badhshapur Syndicate bank.