Businesses at an all time low at Delhi University’s one-stop market Patel Chest

With demonetisation and a change in curriculum, businesses at Patel Chest are doing their best to recover from the all time low that they have hit.

For varsity students in North Campus, who need quick photocopies of notes, last minute printouts of assignments and hard binding for their projects, Patel Chest has been a one-stop solution for everything. “Patel Chest is the mecca for everything from certificates printing to projects,” says Bhanu, a second year Delhi University student. But ever since the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs1000, the sales of these outlets have dipped tremendously. And, as if that wasn’t enough, a change in curriculum has also resulted in many shutting shop on the
project-making business.

Photocopy and binding shops are experiencing an all time low due to the cash crunch. (Shivam Saxena/HT)

“While the demonetisation might be good move to curb black money, our business has faced losses as most students do not have change. The first few days were the most difficult, with heavy losses, but we’ve now opted for e-wallets to recover what we can,” says Hari Singh, a shop owner.

Hari Singh is not the only one in the area to adopt online wallets as a mode of payment as others too have joined in. Another shop owner in the area, Rajesh Sharma regrets the deficits he has faced but is optimistic that things will improve. “We have faced a major dip in our business as most students have old notes or no change at all. Adopting online wallets has helped, but it still is an inconvenience at this time,” says Sharma. “We do however, support the move and will bear with the deficit if it is for the greater good. Everything should be fine in a few weeks.”

The Patel chest Market that once only worked on cash have now switched to online wallets and card payments to recover from losses faced due to the cash crunch. (Shivam Saxena/HT)

The market that was known for making quick projects for students who did not want to go through the effort themselves has now stopped doing that too. “Demonetisation is one reason for it, but we also stopped making projects ever since the curriculum changed. Professors too are very strict now and students don’t wish to take chances anymore,” said a shopkeeper.

Akshat Kapoor of SRCC believes that this move is actually a great one and says, “I’ve seen our seniors get their assignments made and get through the years, but to a student who really does put in all the effort, it is a bit unfair. I just hope that the shops don’t start this practice again.”