Keen to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Digi Dhan Mela, Lalita reached Talkatora Stadium an hour early. She decided to spend the extra hour at an exhibition meant to showcase digital payment options to the public.
“ATM transactions”
She was busy clicking selfies at the exhibition when her eyes fell on a bank stall promising “ATM transactions”.
Sensing an easy opportunity to withdraw some cash, she approached the staffers at the private bank’s counter. She was pleased when a representative told her that she could use as many cards as she liked to withdraw cash merely by swiping them in a small machine they had brought along.
“Our bank has sanctioned a lot of cash to us. But the Rs.2,500 cap on withdrawal with each card will remain,” a representative told her. Overhearing the conversation, around half-a-dozen visitors immediately queued up behind her.
Dashed hopes
However, Lalita’s hopes were dashed in the first swipe itself. With an apologetic smile, the bank staffers announced that they had run out of cash.
“Sorry, the banks did not sanction enough cash,” a representative hesitatingly told Lalita. She let out a giggle and walked on to another bank’s counter.
“Sorry, the banks did not sanction enough cash,” the representative hesitatingly told Lalita and the others. Lalita let out a giggle and walked on to another bank’s counter.
“We have cash, but you can withdraw only if you have a RuPay card,” said the staff of another bank.
Lalita checked her purse and realised that she had only VISA cards. She had no way to verify his claim about cash availability.
Like many other visitors at the exhibition, Lalita spent the next few minutes watching YouTube videos using free Wi-Fi offered by some telecom providers.
Few visitors
The staff at the bank counters, meanwhile, returned to taking group photographs or talking among themselves. The staff present at about three dozen bank stalls outnumbered the visitors at the exhibition.
Most counters were set up by banks and telecom service providers offering digital payment options and dairy and grocery outlets advocating online payments.
Crowd at Aadhaar counter
The longest and possibly the only queue was witnessed at a Common Services Centre (CSC) counter offering to make new Aadhaar cards or make corrections in existing ones. Unfortunately, many people seeking changes in their Aadhaar cards had not brought necessary documents along.
While the exhibition did not generate much curiosity, some staff members approached visitors to educate them about online payments. Rajdeep Tantia, a village level entrepreneur (VLE), was one such representative. “My aim is to educate as many people as I can about cashless transactions. So, I am on the lookout for anyone who may show even a little interest,” said Mr. Tantia.
Online payment
A similar approach to educate people was seen at a Mother Dairy counter. Despite offering a host of products, some of which may not be available at the local kiosk, they refused to accept cash.
“I will teach you how to use Paytm. First use the free Wi-Fi and install the application on your phone,” a representative told a customer while scanning the QR code of another mobile phone.
