After getting a lot of flak and the involvement of some unscrupulous bankers in dubious activities after the demonetisation process, the erring bankers seem to have learnt no lesson.
A good number of traders who are now interested for cashless transactions to keep pace with the modern banking norms are not getting adequate service and cooperation from the banks.
Particularly jewellers who transact crores of rupees everyday and this is in the higher side during the marriage season, needing it the most.
“But due to the noncooperation of the banks, we are not able to provide cashless transaction facility to the customers,” allege almost all the jewellers of the city. Even traders of the semi-urban areas face similar problems.
There are allegations galore that inactiveness of the banks in enabling cashless transaction. When contacted, a senior SBI officer admitted the deficiency on their side. “However, we will solve the problem soon,” the said officer said.
To the contrary, some traders and particularly the jewellers who have swipe machines with them are discouraging customers for cashless transactions. “If you pay cash of Rs 10,000, you can evade tax of Rs 200. And in greed for Rs 200 only, some customers are running to the nearest ATMs to withdraw cash and pay to the jewellers,” as is seen practically. Indirectly, some dishonest jewelers are encouraging cash transactions, but for their personal gains instead of that of the customers.
Hence, the Commercial Tax Department needs to take adequate steps to stop such unfair practice and wrong advice of some businessmen, demanded the local intelligentsia.