Delhi's red light areas see sharp decline in customer flow post demonetisation

The world's oldest profession is passing through its "lowest-ever phase" in the National Capital after the Union government withdrew high-value currency notes to curb black money and terror funding.

Flesh trade in Delhi-NCR is a cash intensive business. The agents that Mail Today spoke with over last few days, disclosed that from high-end escort agencies operating in tony colonies to moderate brothel houses at GB Road, there was a 60-80 per cent decline in customer flow, even though Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes were being accepted by them.

SEX INDUSTRY RUNS ON HARD CASH

"This is unprecedented. We have never witnessed such a decline before," said an agent who operates from Saket and Mahipalpur in South Delhi. "All we can do to sustain ourselves is to give discount and accept banned notes. We have convinced girls to accept old currency promising help in depositing those in bank," he said. Mail Today called up a couple of escort agencies all of which agreed to accept old currency notes. "Sex industry runs on hard cash," explained Prince, an agent who operates from Green Park. "People don't have new currency to pay and even that supply is limited. Those who have new currency are busy buying basic commodities while Rs 100 notes are being hoarded for emergency use. In this situation, pleasure industry is bound to be hit."

To deal with low demand, most agents disclosed that they have slashed the rates by 30 per cent. "For the services that came for Rs 5,000, are now available at Rs 3,500. We are have been informing our regular customers about lowered prices through message services on phone," said another agent.

RS 100 NOTE, HOARDER'S ITEM

Not only are the high-paid sex workers but Delhi's notorious red light area GB Road has also reported sharp decline in footfalls in last one week. Rabia, a 25-year-old sex worker at one of the kothas said she hasn't entertained any customer for last seven days. "I used to get seven to eight customers everyday but now no one is coming," Rabia said. Others, who refused to disclose their identities, said Rs 100 notes had become a hoarder's item and customers were unwilling to part with it. "Initially, we were wary of accepting `500 notes after the news on TV but our middle-men advised us to go ahead. But now the customers are nowhere to be seen."

SEX WORKERS RELY ON MIDDLEMEN

There are about 5,000 sex workers operating from nearly 150 kothas at GB Road, most of whom do not have any bank accounts and rely on old chests to keep their earnings. "Since, a lot of us have come from West Bengal, Jharkhand, Orrisa, Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh, we do not have Aadhar or Ration cards," said Dimple.

"Bank staffs demands documents to exchange old notes which we do not have. We can only rely on our middleman to get our savings exchanged into new notes," she said.

According to estimates, the flesh trade in Delhi-NCR witnesses daily cash transactions running into crores of rupees. With the recent currency ban, the business has been dealt with a "rude blow".

USING SOCIAL MESSAGING APPS TO STAY AFLOAT

An escort agency agent, who identified himself as Jeetu, told Mail Today that most of the girls in up-market flesh trade are into this business for quick money on a part-time basis. "Girls come to us on a weekly or daily basis against payment of fixed amount. They maintain bank accounts and it is not difficult for them to deposit Rs 15,000-20,000 in a day," Jeetu said. "The problem is at the demand end."

Agents said social messaging apps are in high use to lure new and loyal customers. "We are busy drafting attractive messages and sending them to our contact lists. We are surviving somehow," said Jeetu.

Also Read: Opposition's gameplan: Battle demonetisation in Parliament, then take it to streets

LOWLY PAID WORKERS BLAME POLITICAL MASTERS

While up-scale sex trade is finding new ways to stay afloat, the hopes are running thin at their modestly priced fellow traders. With little access and knowledge of moneytransfer gateways, most lowly-paid sex workers are quick to blame political masters for their situation. "We are sex workers but it does not mean we are not humans. We are forced to live in pathetic condition and Modi has created a disastrous situation for us," said Savita, a 52-year-old sex worker at GB Road.

Also Read: Model rescued from flesh trade escapes Pune shelter