Long queues at petrol pumps
Long queues were seen at petrol pumps and gas stations on Wednesday as anxious people rushed to get rid of their currency notes that the government de-monetised on Tuesday. Petrol pumps are among the few places accepting ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes till November 11.
The petrol pumps though were refilling for ₹500 and ₹1,000, most refused to fill fuel for lesser amounts to avoid giving away change.
“We are helping as much we can but people too should understand our problems. We exhausted all ₹100 notes on Tuesday night by 10pm. From where will we source change,” said an attendant at a petrol pump in Connaught Place, adding that most motorists are offering ₹500 or ₹1000 notes.
Some petrol pumps were closed in Mayur Vihar and Vaishali fearing they would have stocks of ₹500 and ₹1000 notes piled up.
Two-wheeler riders who generally get tanks re-fuelled for as less as ₹200 were seen arguing at a petrol pumps in Mayur Vihar when asked to buy fuel worth ₹500.
Smita Sehgal asked, “My scooter’s tank gets filled for ₹400. How will I purchase ₹500 petol? They are asking me to take the money two days later. It is not done.”
Minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday said if the petrol pumps refuse to accept ₹1000 and ₹500 notes, then government will have to intervene.
“Every petrol pump will accept notes of ₹1,000 and ₹500 till November 11, I appeal all to kindly coordinate,” he said.