Panic prevails in Vizianagaram

Vizianagaram: The discontinuation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes had its effect on daily transactions of common folk as the ones with Rs 500 notes are at receiving end as no merchant is ready to accept them and the ones accepting are helpless to give change after a few transactions.

Petrol bunks are asking people to take Rs 500 petrol or wait for change. An employee in electricity bill counter rejected Rs 500 notes and was indifferent when asked about government's responsibility to accept the same till November 11. Though the people have more number of Rs 500, Rs1, 000 notes, they are searching for the notes of Rs 100 and Rs 50 denominations. The high denomination currency notes became unworthy to purchase milk packets, medicines and groceries.

Though the government stated that all the government services will be available with the notes, but the AP TRANSCO billing centres are not accepting the notes from the consumers who came to pay the bill. When contacted superintending engineer Chiranjeevi said: “Our management has said not to accept the notes and we are just implementing their orders.” Market wore a deserted look due to non-availability of Rs100 and Rs 50 notes. Business of petty vendors, grocery shops, fruit shops, cinema halls, gold shops, hardware, furniture, textile shops and hotels was stalled. However, petrol bunks have made a good business by forcing the consumers to purchase more fuel.