BERHAMPUR: Despite the claimed loading of currency in ATMs, most of them remained closed while the rest were without cash. The cash-strapped people were cautious in spending as a result of which Bada Bazaar, the wholesale market of the city, wore a deserted look on Saturday.
The traders, who are busy on other days, were seen sitting idle as they refused to transact business with buyers, who turn up with high value currency notes.
A potato wholesaler, Manoranjan Sahu said, some of the citizens managed to exchange their old notes but most of them are now having `2,000 notes in hand while traders do not have sufficient `100 currencies to pay them back. Though gold shops continue to remain closed for the last three days some traders managed to sell jewellery clandestinely outside their stores. With marriage season round the corner, families from various places thronged the jewellery shops at Bada Bazaar for purchases. Surprisingly, neither the administration nor the line department officials are showing any interest to check the clandestine trade.
Many bank officials said, in exchange we are giving one `2000 note and rest ` 100 notes. Many people are forced to return empty-handed as banks too are running short of money.
Meanwhile, some unemployed youths in a bid to earn fast bucks started collecting `1000 and `500 notes near railway station, bus stand and near different banks. They pay ‘950 against exchange of a `1000 note and `470 for `500 note.