Amidst cash crunch, private stores near RML still take old currency
'We prefer it if customers give us change, but we do take Rs 500 and Rs 1000 as we can just deposit it in the bank and customers need medicines. We cannot deny them that', said a chemist.
A big notice that says 'Please pay in small notes or cards' is splashed across the counter of medical stores near the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in the national capital, but the shopkeeper and staff still keep taking in 500 and 1000 rupee notes. Customers run to the counters with their Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes scrunched in their hands as they hand over the prescriptions to the chemists.
'The hospital pharmacy does not accept our cash. They say they have trouble giving us change so they ask us to come outside to buy medicines', said Janaki, a lady waiting to buy medicines.
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'We prefer it if customers give us change, but we do take Rs 500 and Rs 1000 as we can just deposit it in the bank and customers need medicines. We cannot deny them that', said a chemist.
'They look at us as money changers. That shouldn't be the case. However, we look at the prescription and if those are important medicines, we give them the medicines despite the notes they hand over to us', said Sandeep Kumar, a chemist.
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While many patients and others complain about the inconvenience, the current move by the government has fallen on them, they also smile talking about the chemists who are helping them now.
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'We are glad there a people like these who understand our needs. I can't buy milk for my child as the shopkeeper does not accept old notes. I have run out of Rs 100 and when I tried paying with a Rs 2000 note, he did not have change. But this shopkeeper was a nice man', said Lata.
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