KOLKATA: With the ATMs of nationalised, private and rural banks throughout West Bengal either shut or cashless, salaries of over 1,50,000 tea workers in about 277 tea gardens is in jeopardy, thanks to the demonetization and an eventual shortage of Rs 100 currency notes. Highly disappointed with the ongoing situation, the tea garden owners under the Indian Tea Association sought Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's immediate intervention.
Of 3,500 SBI ATMs, hundreds of them across the state and more than 3,000 ATMs of other banks were either closed or cashless. Some of the SBI ATMs were not accepting ATM cards of other banks.
Political parties, meanwhile, have started exchanging allegations over the demonetisation. Bharataiya Janata Party President Amit Shah said on Friday that the demonetisation has not affected the common people and only some politicians. “Mamata Banerjee is also against demonetisation. Politicians should not join the ranks of black marketers and hoarders,” Amit Shah said.
Trinamool Congress MP and spokesperson Derek O’Brien termed BJP president's view as that of Lodhi Garden or the elitist Delhi ruler’s view. “Amit Shah’s view is Lodhi Garden’s view. Mamata Banerjee’s view is grassroot’s view. We will take up the issue in the winter session,” he said.