AGARTALA, Nov 17 (TIWN): Bank-note scarcity has gripped Tripura as public are roaming from one ATM to another for money but all of the ATMs left as empty. At Agartala, all the ATMs will remain ‘closed’ during day time for money deposits, causing huge resentment among the beleaguered public. However, on Wednesday evening, many ATMs started to function after the long dry days with cash flows. But during day times, the scenario remained pathetic as most of Banks were not co-operating with customers. A woman bank-customer before Melarmath SBI ATM said on Wednesday morning that, ‘running from other ATM to this ATM charged me with Rs. 80 but no money in hand yet now’. People were standing hours and hours before ATM at Melarmath but after 2 hours a young man said, ‘Delhi is too far as we are receiving only Rs. 2000/ now; then only you can transact from our ATMs’. However, after SBI-configuration of ATMs with news notes only at Melarmath branch, the money transaction began with Rs 2000 notes.But the most interesting matter is that evenafter much pains, public are confident about Modi’s strong decision. They are saying, ‘the crisis is for a limited period’.

The Union Finance Ministry on Nov 8 said the move to withdraw Rs 500, Rs 1,000 currency notes is the biggest "surgical strike" by the government to curtail black money in the economy.

 "This is the biggest and the boldest step by the government for containing black money. It is like a surgical strike on black money," tweeted Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a sudden address to the nation on Tuesday, announced that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes are being withdrawn from midnight and will now become "mere paper". 

Modi said this was being done to tackle the menace of black money in the country, which has sapped the economy. The Prime Minister said that the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes can be deposited in banks and post offices, and also exchanged across the bankcounter by showing government-issued ID proof.

The decisions come after a cabinet meeting.Expressing concern over the circulation of fake currency notes, Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel on Tuesday said the apex bank will launch new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 currency notes from November 10. "RBI will launch new currency notes from November 10," Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das said while unveiling the new notes.

It was said that no harassment will be faced by public, but due to lack of cooperation from bankers, the public are facing gardtimes here. The central got should take action as fast as possible.