Long queues outside ATMS, petrol pumps in Jaipur

Jaipur, Nov 9 (IANS) Long queues were seen outside ATMs and petrol pumps here after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes would not be legal tender after midnight on Tuesday.

"It all started soon after the PMs speech ended. We have got massive rush…..really difficult to control. The situation is like this for the last over an hour ….and I don’t see it improving in next few hours," said a petrol pump owner near Rambagh Circle here.

The situation was more or less the same at other petrol pumps in the city.

There were complaints of petrol pumps refusing to accept Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. However, petrol pump owners said that they are only refusing to people who are demanding petrol or diesel of Rs 100-Rs 200 and giving Rs 1,000 in cash. "We are not not here for money exchange," said another petrol pump owner near Malviya Nagar.

Long line were also seen at ATMs and cash deposit machines. "I have been here for the last one hour and it might take few more minutes for my turn to come," said Rakesh Kumar, standing at a cash deposit machine counter.

There were complaints by relatives of patients who said that chemists are not accepting Rs 500 or Rs 1000 notes and they are finding it difficult to buy medicines for the patients.

"I withdrew Rs 5,000 from ATM in the morning and I only have Rs 500 notes now chemists are not giving me medicines for my relative who is admitted in SMS Hospital…..what should I do….where should I go," said a relative of a patient who sounded very panicky.