Kolkata: The demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 has created havoc in lives of common man across the country. People have to wait in serpentine queues in banks and postal offices to exchange and withdraw money. However, even in these testing times, humanity has a place in hearts of Indians.
The postal department officials in West Bengal's Purulia have pulled a rare feat. The employees of India Post visited the state-run hospital Deben Mahato District Hospital to exchange the banned currency notes with patient.
Bani Ray, whose husband is in the hospital, was in dire need of cash. She exchanged notes when the post officials arrived. The relieved women shared her sentiments saying, "I had Rs 4500 cash which was over in just three days. Now, I need money to buy food and medicines. The money I exchanged is useful as we do not have time to wait in the queues."
The helpful act by the post office department brought a wave of happiness to the patients, who had been hassled by the crisis. The government medical bodies can accept the old currency notes from patients. However, many government hospitals reportedly had no change to offer to the patients in exchange, while the private hospitals cannot accept the old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. This resulted in suffering of several ailing people, as apart from availing medical facilities they could neither buy medicines and food nor do diagnostic investigations.
Narendra Garai, elder brother of Gautam Garai, who had been admitted at the government-run hospital, said, "My younger brother has been admitted in the hospital for the last seven days. With demonetisation, there was immense cash crunch. I could not do the blood tests prescribed the doctor. I couldn't also go to the banks leaving my brother alone. The postal team was of great help today."
A team of 10 members, led by Swapan Chakraborty, district superintendent-India Post, arrived at the hospital to exchange the currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations with the family members of the patients.
Informing more about India Post's human-interest plans, Chakrabarty said, "We are always with the people who cannot go to the banks. We plan to launch similar initiatives at railway platforms and for various people who are associated with emergency services."
Source : http://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com
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