With pay day here, 60% say unable to find a cash dispensing ATM

December 02, 2016, New Delhi: The big test of the government’s efficiency to bring the country back on its feet post the demonetisation is people being able to use the salary they have earned to meet basic necesseties. People have been queuing up at the ATMs to withdraw cash but 60% of them are unable to find a cash dispensing ATM.

A week ago i.e. between November 25-28th, 43% of the people were unable to find a cash dispensing ATM and this number stood at 39% between November 18-20th. This percentage stood at a staggering 66% during the first weekend post demonetisation, i.e. between November 11-13th. This number has risen again to 60% between Dec 1-2 proving that the citizens are facing a severe cash crunch and situation on the ground is not improving.

Out of the 8000 to 9000 citizens that voted on each poll during the past 3 weeks, a large number said that getting cash from ATMs is still a big challenge and their work productivity is hampered since they have to stand in lines for long hours.

Per the citizens and bank officials who are part of various circles, many ATMs still do not have the cash as many banks are only receiving one fourth of their cash requirements from the back end. Withdrawals from the bank are being given a higher priority in most cases and ATMs are being replenished with whatever is remaining.