New Delhi:
Remember standing in long queues for hours outside ATMs and yet returning home empty-handed as the money vending machines went out of cash just when your turn came?
The same demonetisation days returned on Tuesday as ATM machines in several states went out of cash leaving people in need of money distressed.
Big states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh, and Telangana were most affected by the cash-crunch.
Many ATMs were seen 'out of service' in Patna. Locals said that they had been taking rounds of ATMs since last three days but cash was still not available.
People in PM Modi’s home state Gujarat, which was among the most affected states, were also complaining of inconvenience due to the lack of currency in ATMs.
“Most of the ATMs were out of service, we could only withdraw Rs 10,000 from one working ATM that also after spending a lot of time in the long queue,” said a resident of Gujarat’s Vadodara.
In Delhi, people took to Twitter to express their “outrage”. Some termed cash crunch a silent demonetisation.
“Silent demonetisation? ATMs go dry, Rs 2000, other notes vanish in many states,” tweeted one of the user.
“We are facing a cash crunch. Most of the ATMs are not dispensing cash, the ones which are dispensing, have only Rs 500 notes. We are facing difficulty, don't know what to do,” a local Delhi resident told ANI.
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Government says cash crunch temporary, being tackled quickly
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, terming the cash crunch temporary, said that there was adequate currency in circulation and the issue was being tackled quickly.
“Have reviewed the currency situation in the country. Overall there is more than the adequate currency in circulation and also available with the Banks. The temporary shortage caused by ‘sudden and unusual increase’ in some areas is being tackled quickly,” Jaitley tweeted.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh also assured people that the issue of cash crunch will be resolved soon.
“Chhattisgarh, like many other states, has been affected by a cash crunch. The situation will be resolved as soon as possible,” the chief minister said.
“Gross mismanagement,” "financial emergency," Opposition slams government for cash crunch
Terming the cash crunch a “gross mismanagement” by the Modi government, the Opposition Congress asked whether it was a deliberate move taken by the Center.
“News reports say that ATMs around the country are running of out cash. Is it just gross mismanagement by the Modi Govt or is this a deliberate move? #IndiaSpeaks,” Congress tweeted.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee too attacked the government for the "financial emergency" and said that the cash crunch was a reminder of the demonetisation.
"Seeing reports of ATMs running out of cash in several States. Big notes missing. Reminder of #DeMonetisation days. Is there a Financial Emergency going on in the country? #CashCrunch #CashlessATMs," tweeted Banerjee.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said the BJP was the only flush with cash while people across the nation suffered.
"ATMs were empty in November 2016. ATMs are empty now. And the only party flush with cash is the BJP: the people suffer." said Yechuri.
