Thiruvananthapuram: Cash crunch at ATMs exasperate customers

Thiruvananthapuram: Though the serpentine queues in the city to exchange demonetised banknotes appeared shorter on the weekend, the consumers had to face a new set of difficulties. The business community couldn’t exchange currency at the nearest branches of nationalised banks that provided those notes during the past two days. Some private banks traded currencies only for their account-holders.

“I am into outdoor publicity business. I need to exchange notes I got from clients to pay three of my employees. SBT Manacaud branch said I had exceeded the limit, so I exchanged money at the Poojappura branch,” said Akhil M., a young entrepreneur. Most banks closed early, by 4 pm, as they ran out of cash. Even the banks which were provided denomination of Rs 50 and Rs 100 until Friday sent away customers with '10 coins in exchange of Rs 1,000 notes.

The same ATM counters of most private banks which dispensed cash intermittently on the previous day were out of cash on Saturday. As hospitals and fuel stations officially stopped accepting demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, more people emptied cash out of ATMs. “I went to four ATMs of various banks on MG Road. None had money. Finally, I got some notes from SBI ATM near Women’s College,” said Sreeja P.S., a student. Patients reported trouble in paying private hospitals in areas such as Kunjalumoodu and Pattom. SBT officials said they chose to be stingy as they were yet to be given adequate Rs 100 banknotes.