Surat: As several places in the country reported cash shortage at ATMs, a banker's body in Gujarat has written to the RBI on the issue. At several ATMs across Gujarat, a "no cash" notice greeted customers on Tuesday. Hassled consumers say the problem has persisted for at least 15 days.
At an ATM in the Lambe Hanuman Road area in Surat, a man who had been to the ATMs of several banks told NDTV, "There is no cash. Banks are asking to do digital transactions and then charging us for it. Why should we pay so much extra money?"
Bankers say the shortage is because of the increasing demand in cash ahead of the kharif sowing season.
But they also say banks have started receiving lesser cash than required from the RBI leading to rationing of cash disbursements at several banks in parts of Gujarat.
The Gujarat Urban Cooperative Banks Federation says the shortage is also being felt at 257 currency chests across Gujarat from where banks collect currency notes. While private banks seem to be managing the situation somehow, co-operative banks have been more affected by the shortage. The Gujarat Urban Cooperative Banks Federation has written to the RBI on this issue.
Jyotindra Mehta, Chairman of the Gujarat Urban Cooperative Banks Federation told NDTV, "There is a lesser supply from RBI and there is an increased demand in the last fifteen days as agriculturists have come forward to sell their produce and they demand cash. Also this cash that they take is not deposited in their accounts."
While Surat is a city that sees a lot of cash transactions due to the textile and diamond businesses, the spike in demand for cash is being attributed to rural demand. However some fear with the Karnataka elections approaching, some of the cash may be diverted towards the funding of elections.
The cash shortage is affecting business and that is why trade and banking bodies are asking the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to step in immediately and address the issue immediately by increasing cash supply.
The RBI, however, says there is sufficient cash in the RBI vaults and currency chests.
The banking regulator which is also responsible for monitoring printing and circulation of currency notes says printing of the notes has been ramped up in all the four currency note printing presses.
According to the RBI, the shortage may be felt in some pockets largely due to logistical issues of replenishing ATMs frequently and the re-calibration of ATMs being still underway. The RBI says it is closely monitoring both these aspects.
At an ATM in the Lambe Hanuman Road area in Surat, a man who had been to the ATMs of several banks told NDTV, "There is no cash. Banks are asking to do digital transactions and then charging us for it. Why should we pay so much extra money?"
Surat is a city that sees a lot of cash transactions due to the textile and diamond businesses.
The Gujarat Urban Cooperative Banks Federation says the shortage is also being felt at 257 currency chests across Gujarat from where banks collect currency notes. While private banks seem to be managing the situation somehow, co-operative banks have been more affected by the shortage. The Gujarat Urban Cooperative Banks Federation has written to the RBI on this issue.
Advertisement
While Surat is a city that sees a lot of cash transactions due to the textile and diamond businesses, the spike in demand for cash is being attributed to rural demand. However some fear with the Karnataka elections approaching, some of the cash may be diverted towards the funding of elections.
Advertisement
The RBI, however, says there is sufficient cash in the RBI vaults and currency chests.
Advertisement
According to the RBI, the shortage may be felt in some pockets largely due to logistical issues of replenishing ATMs frequently and the re-calibration of ATMs being still underway. The RBI says it is closely monitoring both these aspects.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"All Paid," Tweets Top Diplomat On India's Dues To Cash-Strapped UN Empty Water Coolers, Stalled Esclators As Budget Crunch Hits UN Parliamentary Panel Asks RBI To Fix Dysfunctional ATMs To Avoid Forced Cash Crunch 4 Top Leaders Quit Ajit Pawar's Party In Major Setback After Poll Drubbing Karnataka's 100% Quota Bill For Kannadigas In Private Firms For These Posts Why IAS Officer Puja Khedkar's Training Has Been Put On Hold Berlin University Invites Applications For Master International And Development Econom 24 Hours Since Terror Attack, Encounter Continues In J&K's Doda Former Sikkim Minister's Body Found In West Bengal Canal Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.