Team Herald
MARGAO: People have started getting flashbacks of demonetisation with petrol pumps across Salcete experiencing a sudden rush of customers. This sudden surge of people at petrol pumps is not because fuel prices have been reduced, but to get ‘rid of’ Rs 2,000 currency notes by making small purchases.
Interestingly, the sudden development has forced many petrol pump owners across the taluka to affix notices stating it has become difficult to tender the change in return.
On Wednesday, when O Heraldo visited several petrol pumps in the taluka, mostly in Margao, the owners informed that with each passing they are witnessing a surge in customers with Rs 2,000 notes at their fuel stations.
It has been revealed that petrol pump staffers are having a tough time tendering the change for Rs 2,000 notes with many customers preferring to use the high currency notes for purchasing petrol.
People are in a fix despite RBI Governor Shaktianta Das’ assurance that Rs 2,000 notes will continue to be legal tender even after the September 30 deadline.
However, the people are noting taking any chances, as they have even stopped swiping their debit cards at the petrol pumps and have been insisting on using Rs 2,000 notes.
Umesh Keni, the owner of the Keni petrol pump at Margao told O Heraldo that ever since the RBI issued the circular with regards to Rs 2,000 currency notes, people prefer to use the high currency notes at the petrol pumps.
“We have not refused to accept the Rs 2,000 notes, however, people seem to be panicky,” he said.
Keni said that since the day after the circular was issued, he received Rs 2,000 notes on a regular basis and the day earlier, customers used 94 notes of Rs 2,000 for purchasing fuel at his petrol pump.
The staff at Kurad Petrol Pump in Margao said that suddenly the customers stopped swiping their debit cards.
“Earlier, we would get a minimum note of Rs 2,000 denomination. Now, customers are using more and more high currency notes each passing day,” he informed.
Interestingly, notices have been affixed at a few of the petrol pumps requesting customers to tender exact change with the fuel station owners citing reasons that they are finding it difficult to tender the change.
“We are struggling to tender the change as customers are using Rs 2,000 notes even for filling petrol worth Rs 200-300,” a staffer added.
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The 2K Conundrum: Rs 2,000 notes are now the preferred mode of payment in Goa
People offering Rs 2,000 notes for purchases of Rs 20; jewellers say banks ‘strictly’ asking for ID like Aadhaar Card, contrary to what was promised
PANJIM: There is a bit of a shopping spree going on in towns in Goa. And it’s all with one note the soon to out of circulation the two thousand rupee note.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), last Friday, announced the withdrawal of Rs 2,000 currency notes from circulation as part of the ‘Clean Note Policy’. The exchange process for the same began on May 23, 2023.
The notes will be legal tender at least till the end of September.
However, the notes are fished out at petrol pumps and shops.
Sumedha Desai, a shop owner from Panjim said, “People are using Rs 2,000 notes to pay up at petrol pumps or at shops like ours because they want to offload it as fast as possible. Very few people are going to the banks to exchange notes. Even if they wish to buy something worth Rs 10 or 20, they are paying with Rs 2,000 notes. From where are we to get the change?” she questioned.
Jayant Nagvekar, a jeweller from Panjim said people are not accepting Rs 2,000 notes. They want Rs 500 notes. They are not ready to deposit in the banks also. We are accepting. But our sales are down. “It is like demonetisation. People don’t understand that Rs 2,000 is a legal tender. Banks are accepting, but asking for Aadhaar Card,” Nagvekar said.
Sanvi Kunkolienkar, a bank customer, said so far there are no issues. There is time till September, to exchange the notes. There is no problem with transactions in shops. The shopkeepers are accepting the Rs 2,000 notes.
Gignesh Garish, Jewellery Store Manager, Panjim said transactions are taking place. “Whoever is paying in Rs 2,000 notes is accepting it, for purchase of jewellery. We are taking ID proof. Without ID proof, we are not accepting Rs 2,000 notes,” he said.