Cash crunch: Farmers attempt suicide in banks

HT, 18 Dec 2016, BHOPAL/MANDSAUR: Two farmers allegedly attempted suicide in separate incidents in two Madhya Pradesh banks, police said on Saturday, underlining rising desperation among people unable to withdraw cash since the shock ban on high-value notes.

In Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh, one person allegedly suffered a heart attack and died on Saturday after he was unable to deposit money in his bank account as the branch did not function due to ruckus created by some people over withdrawing cash.

The incidents will give opposition parties a fresh handle to attack the government over its decision to scrap 500-rupee and 1000-rupee banknotes which they say have led to the death of more than 100 people across the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has defended the clampdown, saying the short-term pain of will lead to long-term gains for the country. Since the November 8 announcement, MP too has seen snaking queues in banks and ATMs with people lining up for long hours, most of them to withdraw cash. Police said a 40-year-old soyabeen farmer, identified as Radheyshyam Prajapati, allegedly consumed pesticide while standing in queue at a Central Bank of India branch in Mandsaur on Saturday.

He was said to be depressed after failing to encash a cheque despite visiting the branch for 23 days, police added.