Demonetisation: NCR bank branches yet to receive indelible ink

Despite the government decision's to use indelible ink at cash counters to prevent people from doing multiple transactions, most of the banks in the National Capital Region (NCR) were found without such ink on Wednesday morning.

Bank officials and police personnel had a tough time managing the crowd, since they could not identify if people were making repeat visits.

Meanwhile, the chaotic and serpentine queues outside ATMs continued even on eighth day since the announcement of demonetisation of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

An official at the State Bank of India in Sector 16 of Noida said: "We have not received ink from the RBI. We have been told that it will reach here by this evening."

The situation was somewhat similar at all banks operating in the area. A police official deployed at the Kotak Mahindra Bank said: "Since ink is not being used, it is difficult for us to identify those, who are visiting banks multiple times."

However, there were people, who felt it necessary to visit banks repeatedly, as banks would not allow exchange of the entire amount permitted by the government.

A bank customer Dinesh Kumar said: "Although the limit to exchange old notes is up to Rs 4,500, the bank officials allowed me to exchange just Rs 2,000 yesterday. So, I had no option but to visit the bank again for further exchange."

Meanwhile, many people had complaints about non-availability of cash at the banks and ATMs.

V.D. Sharma, who visited HDFC Bank, said: "I have been told by the bank officials that the bank and the ATM are out of cash. How can the banks run dry just one hour after opening?"