Pilgrims and devotees at Tirupati and Tirumala in Andhra reportedly suffered on Wednesday, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise announcement, demonetising Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.
According to a report in the Times of India, thousands of devotees were left stranded as ATMs stopped functioning and shopkeepers and restaurant owners stopped accepting the old notes. Many did not have money to go back home.
The report also stated that many charged a 'commission' of Rs 50 or Rs 100 to exchange a Rs 500 note.
APSRTC buses which refused the old notes initially, started accepting them later in the day.
Similar reports came from Amritsar, where devotees visiting the Golden Temple were seen looking for lower denomination notes.
We have our own limitations. We cannot open special counters to exchange money. But we are accepting Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes for tickets and prasadam. This will continue till the deadline fixed by the Centre.Chadalavada Krishnamurthy, TTD Chairman
The government on Wednesday said that banks will remain open on the coming weekend.
"For public convenience, banks will remain open on coming Saturday and Sunday," Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das said in a tweet.
The common public were left with barely four hours to following government’s announcement of demonisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on Tuesday.
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