Cashless ATMs leave many high and dry
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 14 2024:
Almost all ATM booths in Imphal were found without cash today causing inconveniences to the public.
People who needed money were running from one ATM booth to the other only to find them all empty.
This reporter also joined in the hunt for cash along with some others who needed money for medical treatment of their relatives.
In the afternoon, cash vans arrived and refilled the ATMs of two Nationalised banks at Singjamei and Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai.
Eager to withdraw much needed cash, people thronged the two booths and formed long queues.
As almost all the people who were in the front of the queues used two or more debit cards to withdraw cash, the ATMs soon ran out of money to the frustration of those waiting in long lines.
Frustrated, many people returned home empty handed.
"My mother is in the hospital.
I needed the money to buy medicines and pay medical bills," said a youth who searched the "entire length and breadth of Greater Imphal for cash".
A man who runs a chicken centre said he has lost interest in using UPI transactions.
"In my shop, people usually pay through GPay.
But, if all the ATMs are empty and I am unable to withdraw cash from ATMs when needed, then I don't want to use UPI transactions anymore.
I will be happier if my customers pay me cash," he said.
Many of the people who were standing in long queues said they had been searching for ATMs having cash since the last 2-3 days.
"There is no use of ATMs booths if there is no money in them.
I wonder if the Govt or the banks have run out of cash," said a person.