Team Herald
PANJIM: While life largely limped back to normal in the State, people standing in queues outside banks waiting to change the demonetised notes, were frustrated by the slow pace of exchange. A large number of tourists, vacationing in Goa, were also seen in banks across the State, and in many banks in Panjim they equalled the number of locals standing in line.
Though the rush at banks was not as high as expected, police patrolled the city and towns to avoid any law and order situation, as large numbers of people were expected to run to banks to deposit and exchange currency. There were three minor incidents in Panjim resulting in arguments between bank officials and people, but police managed to control rising tempers.
People started gathering at banks before the shutters could open, with queues forming from 9am onwards. Most people were seen depositing cash in accounts, while others were exchanging currency at some banks most of those doing the latter were tourists.
Banks also issued new Rs 2000 currency notes and old Rs 100 notes in exchange of Rs 1000 and 500 notes. Most banks in Panjim exhausted their stock of Rs 100 notes by afternoon as
people preferred to take back Rs 100 notes as the Rs 2000 note would be difficult to change at commercial outlets.
A tourist from Diu, who arrived with his family in Goa Thursday morning, said he learnt of the currency demonetisation only when he reached Mumbai but decided to continue with the holiday.
“With whatever money we had in the pocket we managed to reach Goa from Mumbai by bus. No one here is accepting notes of Rs 500 and 1000,” he said. Many hotels were, however, seen accepting Rs 500 notes from tourists so as to not inconvenience them.
ATM services will resume from Friday, where the withdrawal limit fixed is Rs 2000 per person a day, whereas from bank counters people can withdraw Rs 10,000 a day but a maximum of Rs 20,000 per week.
