Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 11
The phrase ‘Aya!’ has been a on every lip since the November 8 announcement of demonetisation of Rs 500 and 1000 notes by Prime Minister Narendar Modi, to wipe out black money and corruption in the country.
From salaried workers to daily wage earners, from neighbourhood panwallas to swanky eateries, the recent demonetisation move has had an effect.
Two days since the announcement, things have not changed, as people struggle to come to terms with a new financial reality.
When the banks opened on Thursday, people swamped to banks across the country to either deposit or exchange their notes. Nagaland was no different, with many people here preferring to keep currency in hand.
Those residing in rural areas or travelling during the intervening period were hit the most. Travellers passing through Assam have harried tales about their journey.
Most people had to forego their meal, as they were not carrying enough change. Some travellers alleged said that certain hotels are taking Rs 1000 or Rs 500 notes but demand Rs 100 as “commission” for exchanging the money.
A resident of Mokokchung Town said most hotels serving travellers and inhabitants were closed for the day due to the current situation. Unconfirmed reports further stated that even the public buses were not issuing tickets were notes of high denomination.
Reports said that many in rural area are hit the most since people here do not have a bank account or vehicles to travel to the nearest banks.
Meanwhile, despite the banks opening, only Rs 2000 notes were made available adding to the woes. A Dimapur resident stated that he could not buy household goods as shopkeepers could not provide change for the Rs 2000 notes.
This could be seen in many shops here, with most customers being turned away for the lack of change.
One resident stated: “Today, I covered the whole new market and couldn’t buy a kilo of tomato as none of the vendors were accepting 500 notes.”
In some neighbourhoods, many residents have started taking credit in neighbourhood Kirana due to shortages of change.
Even though petrol pumps and hospital were asked to accept the old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes till November 11, things did not function smoothly in these places as well.
By Wednesday evening, most of the fuel outlets were not giving change, or asking customers to fill up either Rs 500 or Rs 1000 worth of fuel.
In one petrol pump, an auto driver was asked to fill up for 500 rupees. When the auto’s tank was filled to the brim at Rs 450, the attendants refused to pay back the remaining 50.
A leading hospital in Dimapur also put up a notice outside stating that Rs 500 and Rs 1000 are not accepted.
