BK HALLI (HALIYAL): Chaotic scenes in front of ATM kiosks are a common sight across the country now. But an ATM in BK Halli village, which remains fully loaded with currency, is finding few users. Reason: most of the account holders in the village do not know how to use the machine. Moreover, the location of the ATM is such that many are ignorant about its existence.
The Canara Bank ATM in the village near Haliyal welcomes you with an empty kiosk. If you enter it reluctantly, you will be in for a pleasant surprise to find an operational machine. After the demonetisation issue hit headlines, some villagers, who have debit cards went to use the machine but in vain, thanks to their limited knowledge of using ATMs.
But as the queues at ATMs in nearby towns get longer, the ATM at BK Halli may also get crowded soon, say bank officials.
“Sometimes, residents from Haliyal come all the way to BK Halli to withdraw Rs 2,000. We had deposited money in the ATM about two days ago, and it still has cash,” said an official from the bank.
The ATM was made operational about three years ago as the account holders for the bank grew in the surrounding villages. BK Halli and neighbouring Tatwanagi villages have few landlords and agri-business owners are the main customers of the bank.
“Many farmers have taken loans for tractors and other agricultural equipment from the bank. However, most of them never used the debit card for withdrawals. As there is cash crunch in the market, now they are attempting to use the debit card, “ the official added.
“The bank gave us card a few months ago. But as I cannot read and write, I am unable to use the ATM. I usually go to ATM with my neighbour whenever I require some cash. We are not aware about the currency exchange issue that is going around. We only get some news through television,” said an elderly woman from the village.