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Demonetisation effect: Lucknow man pays Rs 45-lakh power bill in cash
LESA’s cash glut has been fuelled by the rush of customers with astronomical bills seeking to offload their unaccounted money and demonetised banknotes.
The Centre’s decision to demonetise high value banknotes has come as a blessing in disguise for the cash-strapped Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (LESA) with its coffers swelling by Rs 93 crore between November 10 and 15.
LESA’s cash glut has been fuelled by the rush of customers with astronomical bills seeking to offload their unaccounted money and demonetised banknotes.
A consumer in a VVIP division cleared his outstanding bill of Rs 45 lakh, which he had been contesting for years together while two others in the old city area cleared dues of Rs 27 lakh and Rs 28 lakh, respectively, in cash.
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But demonetisation blues continued across the country for the eighth day today with long queues at banks and ATMS.
Most people have now resigned for a long struggle and came better prepared in many places with water bottles, milk for babies, snacks and even bedsheets to spread and sit while waiting in serpentine queues
Banks have started applying indelible ink mark on the right index finger of customers in the select metro cities to stop repeat money exchangers thronging bank branches with invalid currency notes.
In Mumbai, people continued to throng the banks and ATMs, for withdrawing and depositing money as many places continued to run out of cash.
In Allahabad, many residents began their day standing in queues outside banks and ATMs almost two hours before opening hours on Wednesday morning.
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In Kerala, pilgrims at the Sabrimala shrine have also been hit. Though many pilgrims brought enough fund in lower denominations to tide over the crisis some said they found it difficult to exchange old banknotes.
In BJP-ruled Goa, government employees have demanded that their salary for the current month be paid in cash instead of being deposited in bank accounts, considering the difficulties faced in withdrawing money.
(With agency inputs)
