Imphal: The “cash wash” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has affected people in India’s northeastern region.
A man in Imphal exchanged his 500 note with a 100-rupee note in a shop to buy an essential item.
An old woman in the same city, capital of Manipur, did the same when a shop declined to accept her 500-rupee note.
Such desperate acts by ordinary people are being reported from various parts of northeastern states.
According to Imphal Free Press, Modi’s demonetization has evoked mixed response from vendors in all women markets in the main shopping complex of Imphal city.
The old woman did it out of panic that her money would not be useful anymore.
Khwairamband Keithel, a garment vender in Imphal hails the move as a wise step. “His innovative ideas are amazing but yes we the public are facing some difficulties after the notes were withdrawn. The difficulties may continue for some more days,” she added.
The Modi government surprised the nation by withdrawing currency notes of 500 and 1,000 denominations from midnight October 9.
Some women vendors said they accepted the withdrawn notes. “Since the money value will be the same when deposited to banks, we are taking it,” Keithel said.
Women women selling sweets at old Ima Keithel complained that they could sell nothing throughout the day on October 9.
One old women among the sweet vendors said that although everybody knows no harm will be done in taking the notes, many hesitated in accepting them.
She informed that taking chances for people’s predicament some individuals were seen offering one hundred denominations in exchange of five hundred notes with a certain amount of cut.
In another case a woman who came from Kakching to buy Herbalife products said she had to go back in vain as the office did not receive her 500-rupee notes.