\u00a0“There are cracks on the walls of my house… the Mason wants Rs.2,000 to repair it, but I don\u2019t have that kind of cash to spare. They will have to wait.<\/em><\/strong>“<\/span><\/p>\n As an officiating manager of a tour-operating company, 34-year-old Chakrabarti puts in long hours at her job during the week. And once she gets home, she has to manage the house and take care of her son too. The weekend, especially Sundays, are strictly reserved for unwinding, shopping or eating out.<\/span><\/p>\n But this Sunday, Ms. Chakrabarti spent the entire morning turning the house inside out looking for cash that was tucked away. Her cook, who she pays Rs.1,500 a month, wanted some advance payment since she has run out of money. Unfortunately, Ms. Chakrabarti had nor cash to spare.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBy the time was announced on November 8<\/strong>, I had already paid our household help and bought provisions for the month. Though we were left with little cash in hand, we managed by buying most household items using the debit card or online payment,\u201d said Ms. Chakrabarti, a resident of Shalimar Garden in Ghaziabad.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2018Next month will be tough.<\/strong>‘<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI am worried now. The month is about to end, and I have to pay my cook, maid, guard and the help who washes our car,<\/em>\u201d said Ms. Chakrabarti.<\/span><\/p>\n Since both she and her husband are working, it has been difficult for them to take the time out to queue up outside a bank or ATM to withdraw cash.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2018No time to stand in line<\/strong>.’<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMy job involves dealing with foreign clients and does not allow me to spend long hours in a queue at the bank. Hunting down ATMs to withdraw cash has become a habit bordering on obsession now. I try to take some time out of office hours to visit nearby ATMs or visit the ones near my house after coming back from work,\u201d she added.<\/span><\/p>\n Though she can buy most of her grocery through debit card, purchase perishable goods is a problem.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cVegetables, milk, bread, eggs, etc., are not available on e-payment, at least not where I live. For these, I need cash. We managed somehow last month, but finding cash is still a problem. I am not sure if December will be any better,<\/strong>\u201d Ms. Chakrabarti said.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cApart from the household help, who have to be paid in cash, there is the press-wallah, the newspaper vendor and others who I have to pay in cash too,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n While Ms. Chakrabarti pays her son\u2019s school fees through cheque, paying his tutors is going to be another problem. \u201cI have to pay cash for his tuitions and hobby classes at the beginning of the month. I don\u2019t know how I will arrange for so much cash,<\/em>\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n Getting priorities straight<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n With necessities barely being met, other at the Chakrabarti residence are on hold indefinitely.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOur old almirah needs to be replaced. I had ordered a new one and paid an advance of Rs.2,500 last month. But I won\u2019t be able to buy it now since the furniture shop doesn\u2019t accept debit cards and I don\u2019t have the remaining Rs.7,500,\u201d she said, adding: \u201cThe end of 2016 has been exasperating, I just hope 2017 starts on a better note and the cash crunch goes away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Demonetization](\"http:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/demonetization-effects-in-india-1.jpg\")
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