Gujarat villages after demonetisation: No change for Rs 2,000 notes, barter system back

Sanchi ben Bariya (67) came to Dhanpur post office from Vakasiya village to exchange old notes. Showing the 2000 rupee note, she said, “Now how do I buy daily goods?… I ran out of detergent a week ago, but I cannot buy it despite having money.”

Dhanpur taluka post office, which has been receiving nearly Rs 5 lakh in cash daily since the demonetisation move, is disbursing only 2000 rupee notes. Sub Postmaster R R Bariya said: “We are receiving only Rs 2000 notes from the head office. We are helpless.”

Paddy farmers have crop ready to be cut and processed, but no change to pay labourers. Narmada Bhuriya withdrew
Rs 24, 000 and received only 2000 rupee notes. She has not been able to pay the labourers. “I have all this money, but no change,” she said.

Dhanpur taluka has three banks which cater to around 60 villages. Manager of SBI’s Dhanpur branch Amit Singh said: “We mostly receive Rs 2000 notes as smaller denominations go to ATMs.”

Bank Mitras, too, are facing problems. Ramesh Rathwa, a Bank Mitra who also owns a grocery shop near Kanjetha village, said: “The bank gives me Rs 1 lakh a day, all of it in Rs 2000 note… Shopkeepers cannot keep accepting grains as they won’t be able to sell it further.” Mukesh Chauhan, who owns a grocery shop in Rachhva village, asked: “Everyone is coming with 2000 rupee notes. How can I give change to everyone?”