People throng banks despite cash shortage

Some banks faced shortage of currency leading to frayed tempers as people were told to wait for ‘hours’. Other customers turned back disappointed as banks could not dispense cash following the shortage of currency. “I have been waiting for nearly 45 minutes in this queue. Now the bank officials have informed us that we need to wait for more time as they have run out of money. We are waiting for further information. We do not know how long we have to wait,” a customer, who was waiting at a public sector bank, said.

Small traders, who largely depend on small currency, were the worst hit. “We are still exchanging money but we are only providing Rs 2,000 notes as we ran out of the other denominations on Thursday. We are expecting the cash to be replenished soon,” said a private bank official. 

Even on Friday, a few SBI banks were exchanging money for home branch customers. In line with the government’s decision, some bank branches have started applying indelible ink on the right hand index finger of people who are exchanging notes in banks.

Meanwhile, DMK, the main Opposition in the state Assembly, has requested the Election Commission to give ‘appropriate instructions’ on the procedure of applying the ink to banks in Assembly constituencies – Thanjavur, Aravakurichi and Thirupparankundram – which go to polls on Saturday. “In order to avoid any confusion and to prevent the loss of the valuable right of voters, it is necessary to give appropriate instructions to all banks situated in the three Assembly constituencies,” DMK organising secretary, RS Bharathi said in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner, Nasim Zaidi.