JK News Today

Jammu, December 22

Demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes  in India is not only causing inconvenience to people, but those running worn out currency exchange trade are even badly hit as their business has almost crashed.

For last three decades, Santokh Kumar (52) runs a currency changing business at General Bus Stand.  Originally from Naushera area of Rajouri district, Santokh charges little amount from people to change their soiled or damaged currency note without people having to go to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) branch.

But since the demonetization announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8,  his monthly income from the trade has halved leaving him with lot of problems as he is unable to sustain his family. (two children, wife and bedridden mother).

“I used to earn Rs 8000 till the demonitsation by Modi but now my earning have reduced to Rs. 3000 as people are not coming forward to exchange big notes. I now get old notes of Rs 5, Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 50  and Rs 100”, said Santokh.

The exchange trade has its own rules. He charges Rs 10 for changing Rs 100 damaged or soiled currency note. Rs 5 for changing Rs. 50, Rs 1 for changing Rs. 5 note.

“I am worried how my family will survive. I had dream to make my daughter a doctor. My son wants to join army but it seems our dreams can never be achieved”, he said.

His daughter is student of 11th standard while son study in 7th standard in a private school. However surprisingly, Santokh still seems to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision but says that people like him are the end sufferers. Another worry is that he lives on a rent and had to shell out Rs. 3000 per month as rent.

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