Demonetisation: Mumbaikars face hardships on first day

MUMBAI: Overnight demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes caused inconvenience to large sections of Mumbaikars in buying essentials and commuting with the closure of ATMs only compounding their woes.

Many people having Rs 1000 and 500 currency notes were seen rushing places for getting them changed.

Many said they had to return home empty handed this morning unable to purchase milk, vegetables, medicines for want of adequate Rs 100 notes.


Several commuters using public transport like taxis and auto-rickshaws also had a taxing time as they were refused transaction with Rs 500 notes.

Petrol outlets turned down many of those came for refuelling saying they were 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 told PTI that instructions have been given to all 223 members (petrol pumps) in the city to cooperate with 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, but also 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 dealer from suburban Ghatkopar.

For the commuters travelling the suburban trains, the decision announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last night was a hot topic to debate, with many of them supporting, expecting it would bring desired results and the inconvenience it caused temporarily would be over in a day or two.

Some small time traders and grocery shops across the city put up notices that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes would not be accepted for any transaction, catching unawares the common man, especially those from lower strata who do daily purchases of essentials.

"How can I fulfil my family requirements and other expenses with so little cash in my hand. My hard earned and saved money (showing Rs 1000 notes) are useless right now and I feel cheated and looted now," said a city-based professional.