When cash crunch curbs even small expenses

The one thing that has become clear over the last fortnight following the demonetisation of high-value notes is the common man’s ability to quickly change gears and lead a frugal life. Both the haves and have-nots seem to have adjusted to the new realities and are living within their means. Lavish spends are now on a tight leash.

At the same time, the cash crunch has also meant curbing even normal expenses — an occasional treat for the family or a small indulgence for young children. For instance, Ramesh, an auto driver, aged 35, recalls how he used to return home after a tiring day with at least one chocolate bar for his two-year-old son.

Payment via e-wallet “Now, with a good number of customers opting to settle their trip dues with an electronic wallet, I have literally run out of cash. I am unable to buy a chocolate bar for my son as the amounts are settled through Paytm e-wallet. And this gets credited to my account only after five days. And with every passing day, the queue at the ATM is only growing longer. Instead of waiting to withdraw money from the ATM, I have started insisting on cash payment from customers for their trip, or else turn down their request,” he said. “I understand that this is only a passing phase. But the disappointment writ large on my son’s eyes when I return home empty handed makes me feel guilty. So, I have once again reverted to cash and carry,” the auto driver said dropping off this customer at her destination.

Counting the change, he said “I am not too sure when I will get the next booking as I am only able to do short (distance) trips. Longer distance means larger spends and that again boils down to getting payments only through e-wallet,” he explained.

While a number of cabs and auto drivers operating under cab aggregators, such as Uber or Ola, are quite happy to allow commuters to pay for their trips through credit cards or payment wallets, they too need cash for simple needs.

Balasubramanian, a cab driver, said that he would be happy if the trip is settled in cash as it would help him fill diesel.

“Fuel consumption is high within city limits. Though fuel stations accept the now invalid ₹500 and ₹1,000 note, they do not give change and we have to fill for say ₹500 or ₹1,000 every time. We need some liquid cash to sip a tea or bite a bun or vada at some wayside eatery.”

And these push-carts do not offer the facility of PoS machines, he pointed out.