Restaurant and dhaba owners have come to the rescue of cash-strapped outstation students in the North Delhi by providing them succour on credit post demonetisation. The move has proved to be a blessing in disguise for students coming from various parts of the country for appearing in competitive examinations as they can’t afford to stand in long queues before banks and ATMs to get cash.
Dhaba owners in Nehru Vihar and Mukherjee Nagar areas in the Capital have started to feed students on credit by taking photo copies of their Aadhaar Cards or other identity proofs. Students can now buy medicines and books on credit or pay via Paytm.
Also, residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) have come out in support of these students. There is a notice on the main gate of Central Park in Nehru Vihar asking students to share their problems with the members of the RWAs. The majority of the students stay in rented accommodations and in one-room flats at Mukherjee Nagar, Vijay Nagar, Camp, Maurice Nagar, Indira Vihar, Outram lane and Hakikat Nagar areas. Many of them had no cash for food, rent and other educational expenses.
Owner of Hariom book centre said, “We have started giving books on credit on the guarantee of coaching institutes. Alternatively students here have an option to pay by using debit card and with Paytm as well.”
Amit Singh, a Political Science graduate from Jawaharlal Nehru University, now an IAS aspirant staying at Model Town, told The Pioneer that he is in the habit of withdrawing money on need basis but never anticipated such a crisis. “The saving grace for us is that everyone is aware of the situation and cooperating. We do hope that cash issue will be resolved soon,” he said.
“I will be appearing in UPSC Mains in December. Residents have been kind to us and they have asked local dhaba owners to provide us food on credit. I am eating at Shivam dhaba in Indira Vikas on credit,” he said.
However, some of the students are not aware of the credit facility. “I am struggling to pay house rent. I cleared civil services preliminary examination this year and now my focus in on ‘Mains’. But I’ve yet not approached the credit facilitators and I am afraid I might have to stand in long queues to withdraw cash,” said Price Gupta, who lives in Indira Vihar.
Manya Kocher, who is appearing in SSC mains this month, said, “I depend on cash sent by my father. I have been managing all my needs with this money but post-demonetisation, I’m feeling the pinch,” she added.
Aryan Gupta, who is studying in Faculty of law, Delhi University, shared his plight he had undergone. He said he had fallen sick recently and visited doctor at C Block of Nehru Vihar. “The doctor refused to accept scrapped Rs500 note. I was forced to get medicines from a known medical store on credit without doctor’s prescription,” said Gupta.
Mohit Bhardwaj, who sells medicine at B-Block of Nehru Vihar said that how can he refuse to give medicine to someone only because they don’t have money to pay now. “I know present difficulty in withdrawing money. So we give students medicines on credit,” he added.
Trapti Bansal, a BBA student from Madhya Pradesh, said, “I am left with only Rs 1000 note. I do not have time to stand in queues of ATMs and banks as my college exams are fast approaching. No one is providing change for this old note.”
Gaurav Thakur, a working student, said, “I have tried to pay my electricity bills several times but the clerks did not accept old currency notes even though they were supposed to.”
“The demonetization had affected various aspects including the rationing in our pocket money”, said two school boys, who do not wish to be named.
Many students have opted for online payments for their bills and dues. Upendra Dubey, an IAS aspirant from Bihar, said, “I used my debit card to pay for books on Amazon and also for buying vegetables from supermarkets since I had only few Rs 100 notes left with me if the ongoing cash crisis continues. Now I have sought help from my landlord to stand guarantee for my food at dhaba.”