Overnight demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes, has put thousands of Mumbaikars to hardship in procuring essentials and meeting other daily chores like catching local trains and buses to reach their workplace.
The difficulties of the man on the street became all the more severe with ATMs remaining closed.
In many places, people having Rs 1000 and 500 currency notes with them were seen running pillar to post for getting it changed for Rs 100 currency note. Also, scores of people were seen queueing up outside ATMs across the city to withdraw cash in lesser denominations.
Many locals said they had to return empty hand this morning while purchasing milk, vegetables, medicines in absence of adequate Rs 100 notes. Several commuters using public transport like taxis and auto-rickshaws encountered a taxing time as they were refused transaction with Rs 500 notes.
Petrol Pump dealers said those who are coming to refill fuel with an intention to get change are being denied as they are running short of Rs 100 notes.
Petrol Dealers Association has appealed to customers to fill fuel worth Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 or more to reduce this inconvenience.
President of Petrol Dealers Association Ravi Shinde said that they have given instructions to all 223 members (petrol pumps) in the city to co-operate with the customers.
“Simultaneously, we are appealing customers to refill fuel worth Rs 500 and 1,000 only using their notes,” he said.
Shinde said not only petrol pumps in the city, 4,700 filling stations across the state under Federation of All Maharashtra Petrol Dealers Association as well as over 53,000 fuel filling stations in the country belonging to Consortium of Indian Petroleum Dealers are extending full cooperation to customers.
“Only those customers are being returned empty hands who are coming to petrol pumps with intention of getting change of Rs 500 and Rs 1000,” said a petrol pump manager from suburban Ghatkopar.
Commuters travelling by cabs and public transport today met with their share of hardship.
It was a hotly debated topic among commuters on suburban local trains, where many of them favoured the move, expecting it to bring desired results.
Also, some small time traders and grocery shops across the city have put up boards outside their establishments, saying that notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations would not be accepted for any transaction, thus inconveniencing the common man as well as people from lower strata of the society, who makes daily purchases to fulfil their needs.
“How can I fulfil my family requirements and other expenses with so little cash in my hand. My hard earned and saved money (showing 1000 notes) are useless right now and I feel cheated and looted now,” said a city-based professional based in Andheri.
