SRINAGAR: Nearly a month after Reserve Bank of India (RBI) withdrew Rs 2000 notes, the small shopkeepers are facing tremendous hardships as the traders here have been refusing to accept the notes as they are being asked to deposit their Aadhar and Pan Cards before paying Rs 2000 notes to them.
The small business establishment owners told that despite the government asking people to exchange or deposit Rs 2000 notes until September 30, 2023, majority of the shopkeepers are refusing to accept the notes and accept it only after depositing their Aadhar card and Pan card.
“Everything at the present juncture is linked with the Aadhar and Pan cards. And the small business unit owners are feeling security concerns by depositing their mandatory cards to the big traders,” Aabid Nazir, a trader from Munawarabad said.
He said that how a small trader can put himself in trouble by giving Aadhar and pan card to the big establishments.
Meanwhile, several other trade said that there are no directions from the government in this regard.
Muhammad Yaseen Khan, President of Kashmir Traders and Manufacturing Federation (KTMF), said that there are no directions in this regard though, but seeking Aadhar and Pan Cards could be a security for the trader if he is asked to explain his position about Rs 2000 notes with him.
“Those who are giving just a few notes should not be asked for the Aadhar cards, but yes if it is a large amount then collecting Aadhar and Pan card from the buyer would be a security for the seller as well,” he said.
Javed Ahmad Tenga, President of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCC&I), told that he would talk to the big business unit owners and ascertain whether there is any such direction to them from the government side. “I don’t know personally, but will look into it,” he said.
When contacted, an official from Jammu & Kashmir Bank said that there are no directions in this regard, but the people if facing hardships should opt for an easy way of depositing or exchanging such notes from the bank—(KNO)
