As banks observe holiday, ATMs run dry, people stay cashless

A large number of people were left cashless on Monday as most of the ATM kiosks in the national capital displayed a no-cash board and the banks observed a national holiday on the occasion of Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti.

IANS correspondents who went out to check whether ATMs are functioning on the fifth day since the demonetisation announcement, found only a few ATMs of the Kotak Mahindra, ICICI bank, State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, and the HDFC Bank in some areas were dispensing cash while the rest displayed a no-cash board.

However, difficulties posed by hard-to-find cash failed to discourage people. Most supported the demonetisation move.

"Waited for six hours in the ATM queue but did not get money. I am ready to face problem for my country and are you? #IAmWithModi," Tarun Tripathi said in a tweet in support of the drive against black money.

Another Twitter handler, Yuvii at RANTordaas tweeted: "People on roads now are giving way to ATM cash filling vans like they do for Ambulance."

Some people suggested alternatives to help people.

B.G. Mahesh tweeted: "ATMkaro.in -- a novel way to inform people which ATM is functional."

Another twitter handler, Girish Alva said: "Besides ATM, another way to get cash is to carry a 'cash cheque' and withdraw in counter. Better chances of getting cash if ATMs are going dry."

--IANS

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