In a shock decision, PM had announced that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes are now worthless scraps of paper
Millions of Indians spent hours at ATMs and banks on Friday, desperate for cash three days after the government, in a shock decision, announced that the highest denomination Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes are now just worthless scraps of paper.
In cities from Delhi and Mumbai to Kolkata, Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram, long lines of people spilled out of banks onto roads and lanes.
People queue up outside an ATM of a private bank in Lucknow.
The ATMs, according to the government, were to start dispensing money from Thursday midnight, after a two-day gap to stock up on new notes.
However, people complained that most ATMs were not functioning.
People complained that most ATMs were not functioning. Crowd seen outside and ATM in Jalandhar.
In Kolkata, many were told that there is no money inside ATMs and they may start functioning only in the afternoon.
At a prominent bank and ATM in Mumbai, rows of people were standing or sitting on steps, resigned to long hours of waiting. Officials provided seats and water to some senior citizens.
"ATM Kaise Karo?" muttered a frustrated office goer after his third trip, twisting a popular ad for a mobile wallet company.
"I am shell shocked. This is the third day of no cash. What is the normal customer supposed to do?" said a young woman who had been to five ATMs during working hours.
People in Delhi were also angry over poor arrangements.
In Delhi, government officials were also among the desperate cash-seekers bemoaning poor arrangements.
A man counts currency notes after withdrawing them from State Bank of India ATM in Kolkata. (Reuters)
An officer at the Shastri Bhawan, the headquarters of 16 ministries with just one bank to cater to them, said: "There is panic and desperation. The government should have prepared better. People here have been waiting for almost four hours."
Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu, calling the currency ban a historic, decisive and bold measure, said it is unfair to dwell on the inconvenience. He also tweeted photos showing an orderly line at a bank where he interacted with customers and officials.