Note demontisation: Cash-strapped students struggle to meet expenses

Another law student Niyati Patil finds the decision bold but impractically executed. “Lower-income groups are suffering more than us, how can anyone function on a single Rs 2,000 note?,” she said.

While suffering a moderate dip in footfall like other student hangout places, most transactions at Cafe Good Luck have shifted to card payment. The cafe is helping its regulars by rounding off bills and paying the extra amount in loose change. Manager Abbas Ali says, “Students have bun maska and chai and they are paying small amounts like Rs 45 by card. They request me to add a little extra to the bill, and give them cash in return.”

Some of the students have also started sharing small expenditures like tea and cigarettes.

An FTII student also pointed out the difficulties being faced at local film shoots. As payments are kept aside in the pre-production stage, cashiers have to arrange for valid bills from banks earlier.

Meanwhile, ATMs in and around colleges like FTII, Symbiosis at SB Road and FC are mostly out of cash.

Students from cities like Latur and Bhind at MAAC on JM Road are also finding it difficult to pay their monthly fees. While the institute has given them an extension of five to ten days, further delay will incur penalty. “We are waiting for these problems to subside in the next eight to ten days,” said a student, while adding that “the decision is great as black money (hoarders) are suffering.”