JOIN USPeople left cash-strapped as ATMs in Mandya run out of money
The people of Mandya, especially those who posses ATM and debit cards, were cash-strapped in the first week itself, this month, due to continuous holidays (five days at a stretch).
People were seen moving in and out of various ATM kiosks, holding ATM and debit cards in their hands, in search of cash. Various festivals falling on these holidays made the situation worse.
The holidays started on October 2 and ended on October 6, and there were three important festivals — Ayudha Puja, Vijayadashami and Bakrid. Besides, it was Navaratri season, which began on September 25.
While some of the ATMs were closed as they exhausted cash, people were trying in vain to withdraw cash from those still open.
There were long queues before the kiosks, which still dispensed cash. The security guard in front of one kiosk was telling customers that cash was available in the denomination of Rs 100 currency notes only and was urging them not to withdraw above Rs 4,000 at a time. After a few withdrawals, the kiosk was exhausted and the customers in the queue had to again go in search of another kiosk.
Kishore, a resident, said, he had to leave for another city on emergency, but could not manage to withdraw money even after trying in a few ATM kiosks.
“The bank authorities knew that it is going to be an extended weekend. So, they should have made arrangements to fill sufficient cash in the kiosks,” he said.
P Naveen, a resident of Shankar Nagar in the city, said, he had to borrow some money from a friend to meet the expenses of the festival, even though he has received his monthly salary in his account.
Lead Bank Manager Basavarajappa said, all ATM kiosks were filled in view of the holidays, but the holiday for Monday (October 6) was announced only on October 2, so the customers were inconvenienced.