As Mumbaikars struggled to get change for Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on Day 1 after PM Modi’s demonetisation announcement, mid-day spoke to restaurant owners about their plans to tackle the move and if they had anything in mind to try and make it easier for the patrons till everyone settled in with the changes
As Mumbaikars struggled to get change for Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on Day 1 after PM Modi’s demonetisation announcement, mid-day spoke to restaurant owners about their plans to tackle the move and if they had anything in mind to try and make it easier for the patrons till everyone settled in with the changes.
Devavrat Kamath (left), owner of Matunga’s Café Madras
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Cafe Madras, King’s Circle
“We are keeping the restaurant closed tomorrow (Thursday), as most people don’t have R100 notes. We are in the process of getting a card-swiping machine. We also want to give our staff a break after Diwali... No one is accepting Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, hence, it’s a problem to procure vegetables too. Customers too struggled with trying to get change. Banks will open the day after, so we are hoping for business as usual soon as people get more clarity and settle down,” said owner Devavrat Kamath.
Gopal Balgi, owner of Modakam
Modakam, Prabhadevi
“When Modi announced the move, there were so many people at Siddhivinayak temple. They panicked... people from all over India come to the temple with their families. Today, we had only 20 per cent footfall compared to other days. So, we asked them to give a copy of their ID cards and pay us when they get change or before going back to their hometown. It was our way of helping out. Our money is not going anywhere. Tomorrow will be similar, we think, and things will slowly stabilise. We earn through the year, so when there is a government policy, why should travellers suffer?” said Gopal Balgi, owner of Modakam (opposite Siddhivinayak temple)
Francis Fernandes, owner of Fresh Catch
Fresh Catch, Mahim
“Fisherfolk do all their transactions in cash, including paying for the boats and trawlers. They need Rs 60 to Rs 70,000 in cash daily. They had a tough time today. Also, there were hardly any people at the market, sales dropped as fish is an expensive item and getting Rs 100 notes wasn’t possible for everyone. When we bought fish at the market, we were given credit, as we are regular customers. We will pay once the currency situation is sorted,” said owner Francis Fernandes.
Mahesh Lunch Home, Juhu
“We noticed a 75 per cent decrease in customers today. No one has come out to eat, only because of the money problem. We told customers that we aren’t accepting cash, only cards, but many of them refused. We had no option but to find change for them. Luckily, some of our customers are foreigners and businessmen, so they didn’t mind. We have to manage for the next five days till the banks open and people can exchange their old notes. Tomorrow (Thursday), we will tell customers before they order that we would prefer if they paid by card,” said Manoj Nirgun, manager.
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