'Which is the line for depositing money?'
'Which is the line for changing money?'
'Which is the line for withdrawing money?'
Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar reports on the woes of bank customers trying to withdraw/deposit their money.
Terrible Thursday was a hard day in India, both for customers and bank staffers.
Uncertainty, anger, irritation, despair were in the air as banks waded into the chaotic atmosphere created after Prime Minister Modi's stunning announcement on Tuesday night.
Today, people lined up to change their useless Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes for tender that would be accepted in day-to-day transactions.
The level of noise at the State Bank of India's branch in Thiruvanmiyur, on the outskirts of Chennai where the scenic East Coast Road to Pondicherry begins, made it sound like a fish market. It was so crowded that there was no place to sit.
In a corner, a youngster waited patiently, clutching a bunch of old currency, his bank challan (slip), his passbook and a token numbered 345.
"They are calling token number 340 now," he says with a tired smile. "I have been waiting here for one-and-half-hours, but I hope I will be able to leave in the next five minutes."
An elderly man said it took him two hours to withdraw Rs 2,000, the amount presently permitted by the government. "I have other work but no money, and so I waited."
A few ladies, who had deposited money, queued up at the passbook printing machine. "The bank is very crowded... what if they miss out our money? We are making sure our passbooks are updated," they said.
Exhausted, or maybe bored, with the wait, some people had fallen asleep on the chairs. A male customer told me it was easier if you had an account with the bank; all you needed to do was take a token and wait.
Those who did not have an account had to first fill a form and submit it with a photocopy of their valid identification card. Then began the long wait for their name to be called.
"I just gave my form. I am sure it will take a few hours. I will go home, have lunch and come back for my money," an elderly lady said. "What if her name was called when she was away? It doesn't really matter. They have my form and a photocopy of my identification. I have the money. The only thing I will lose is time."
If the SBI branch sounded like a fish market, it was nothing compared to the scene unfolding at the Bank of India branch nearby.
People were walking around with bewildered expressions.
"Which is the line for depositing money? Which is the line for changing money? Which is the line for withdrawing money?" one man mumbled. No one seemed to have an answer.
Finally, a lady constable stationed at the entrance to the bank advised him to ask the staff, but one had to stand in a line for that as well.
"How many lines can I stand in?" asked the man, disheartened.
Today, it was a question that had no answer.
One lady stormed out, angry tears in her eyes, "I wash vessels and clothes in four houses every day. My hard-earned money is useless. I can't even buy a cup of tea. I don't have a bank account and I don't know how to fill that damn form."
A autorickshaw driver said business had been affected since Wednesday. "The petrol bunks are smart; they accept Rs 500 notes, but are not giving change. I think the situation will improve on Monday since the banks are going to remain open on the weekend," he said optimistically.
At the State Bank Of Mysore branch, there was just a short line at the cash counter.
The assistant branch manager looked relieved. There had been a constant stream of customers, he said, but the branch was not as crowded.
A retired gentleman said it took him half an hour to get to the counter and deposit the old currency notes. He had struggled up the stairs -- the branch is located on the first floor -- to transact his business and was exhausted.
Clearly, the process to withdraw or deposit money today was both tiring and time-consuming.
