There was no end to the hardships being faced by people following the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes as chaos continued at banks across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Saturday.
Lakhs of people were standing in queues since morning outside banks in Hyderabad and other towns and villages in Telangana.
With Automated Teller Machines remaining cashless in both the Telugu states, there seems to be no end in sight to the people's woes.
People had to wait for hours to exchange or deposit the demonetised notes. Those coming for the exchange were seen returning disappointed at not getting the much needed small currency notes.
At many banks, people were given two new notes of Rs 2,000 in exchange for the demonetised notes. At banks in Vijayawada in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, people refused to accept the big currency notes.
According to them, the availability of new notes of Rs 500 would have provided some relief.
Many skipped their work to stand in queues. Patience was running out as people vented their anger over poor arrangements made at the banks at a few places.
With severe shortage of Rs 100 or lesser denominations, people were facing a tough time in buying milk, vegetables and other daily essentials.
While those having debit or credit cards got them swiped at major stores, others had no option but to stand in serpentine queues at banks for the exchange.
ATMs remained cashless for a fourth consecutive day. A few machines which were functional with Rs 100 notes ran out of cash in no time.
Officials said it would take more time for the ATMs to re-open as they were not re-calibrated to dispense the new currency notes.
Business remained dull in both the states due to demonetisation. Small traders were the worst affected. They complained that their business had come down by 50 per cent.
The rumours of salt and sugar shortage since Friday night added to the people's woes. The two essential commodities ran out of stock at a few places as people resorted to panic buying.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner Mahender Reddy said there was no shortage of salt or sugar. He said strict action would be taken against those spreading rumours.
--IANS
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