Chaos on Day 2 as ATMs Run Dry, Hospitals Still Taking Old Notes

Existing exemptions on paying public utility bills were extended till 14 November, too.

• Long queues outside several banks across the country remained on Friday with customers carrying their ID proofs to get their old currency notes exchanged
  
• Either ATMs remained closed or carried “not working” notices
• ICICI Bank ATMs became operational, but for usage by only its customers
• SBI said that normalisation of ATM services will take another 10 days
• The home ministry issued an advisory asking all the states to provide security to the banks, post offices and agencies managing ATMs and cash
  Existing exemptions on paying public utility bills were extended till 14 November

All Exemptions Extended Till 14 Nov

The government has now decided to extend the existing exemptions on paying public utility bills till 14 November.

Old notes will still be accepted at government hospitals, milk booths, petrol pumps, chemists and for railway and airline booking till the said date.

Payments for utility bills, such as water and electricity bills, will be restricted to individuals and households for arrears or current bills, and no advance payments will be allowed.

Shiv Sena Attacks Modi Govt

Criticising the sudden announcement to scrap high value notes, Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray said this decision taken by the government is not in public interest.

This sudden decision is causing inconvenience to people. This initiative taken by the government is not in public interest, because only normal people are suffering from this hasty decision.

Uddhav Thackeray 

He added that the government should have acted against the “black money deposited in all the Swiss accounts.”

Also Read: Mamata to Chidambaram: How Politicos Reacted to Modi’s Rupee Move

Toll Suspension for National Highways Extended Till 14 November

As an effect of demonetisation, toll taxes to be paid on National Highways were suspended till 11 November. The suspension has now been extended till 14 November midnight for all National Highways.

Rahul Gandhi in Long Queue at Bank

Congress vice-President Rahul Gandhi was seen joining a long queue at the State Bank of India Branch in Parliament Street. He said he’s there to exchange notes worth Rs 4,000.

My fellow citizens are suffering, I’m here to stand with them.

Rahul Gandhi

Also Read: Rahul Visits SBI Branch to ‘Feel Aam Aadmi’s Pain’, Jumps Queue