With miseries mounting for patients and their attendants following
demonetisation, postal department officials have started visiting
hospitals across the city to help them exchange old high-value currency
notes for new ones. So far, nearly Rs 25 lakhs have been exchanged by
them at the hospitals.
“The postal teams are visiting hospital wards offering lower
denomination currency notes to patients and their family members as per
their needs. Many of them are not able to procure cash from the
overcrowded banks and ATMs in the city,” Chief Postmaster General (Delhi
circle), L N Sharma said. He said several teams have been formed to
visit the hospitals.
The hospitals where the teams are going include Ram Manohar Lohiya
(RML), Lady Hardinge, Safdarjung, Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB), Army Research
and Referral Hospital, Deen Dayal Upadhyay and Charak Palika hospitals
etc.
According to Abhishek Singh, Director, Postal Services (Operations
and Headquarters, Delhi circle) the postal staff have exchanged close to
Rs 25 lakhs from hospitals till now. The initiative is likely to
continue till December 30.
“From Friday onwards, we have also started visiting old age homes and
exchange the banned currency notes with the elderly people who are not
often in a position to visit banks and post offices,” Singh said.
“Post office has always been a people’s organisation. It caters to
the needs of the common man and this was one opportunity where we felt
we need to reach out to those who are really in need of money at this
time,” he said. The service by the Department of Post has brought cheer
among patients and their relatives.
“My husband is admitted to Safdarjung hospital and I was in dire need
of cash. I went to a nearby bank twice but there was a long queue and
could not exchange or withdraw money. But then these officials from the
post office came and exchanged my money. It was of great help,” said
32-year-old Kanika Das.
The government hospitals have been authorised to accept the old
currency notes from patients, but the facilities were said to have run
out of small change to offer to the patients.
“Also we are finding it difficult to buy food and other essentials
from shops and hospital canteens as they are not accepting the old
notes. Now because of the postal team we do not have to go and stand in
queues,” said Manpreet Khanna.
Source : http://indianexpress.com
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