Demonetisation effect: Kochi church opens up offering box for needy

Kochi: At a time when the nation is facing a monetary crisis due to demonetisation, a church in Kochi, Kerala, has opened up its offering box to help people.

The vicar of the church said they are helping people in need of cash as the offering box has currency of lower denomination.

"We have lower denomination in our cash box. People in need can take money from there and return whenever they want," said Vicar Jimmy Poochakatt.

Another church, Kakkanad, in the state's Ernakulam district, has opened two of its donation boxes for people struggling to meet their daily needs because of a lack of cash.

Chaos rules as people scramble for cash from across the country's ATMs, even as the government and banks claim that they have adequate supply.

Although second Saturday is a holiday for most banks, the government has ordered all banks across the country to function both on Saturday and Sunday. Almost all banks are witnessing a rush and there is anger among people waiting in queue, many of whom are from the lower income group, over the amount of time being wasted.