Demand for card swipe machines up
Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service
Dharamsala, November 30
Due to cash crunch, traders, hotel and restaurant owners in Dharamsala are applying for card swipe machines. Many have approached banks and companies supplying these, but it is learnt that the machines are not available. Sources said the companies supplying the machines were unable to meet the rising demand.
e-wallet applications at Paytm have marginal presence in the hinterlands of the state. The sources said the people were now trying to use e-wallet applications which they expected to gain popularity. Sanjeev, who runs a restaurant in McLeodganj, said: “Earlier, he used to conduct his business in cash. But due to the cash shortage, customers now ask for card swipe machines. I have placed an order for installing two card machines at my restaurant. However, the company supplying the card machines has expressed its inability to supply the machine immediately.”
Vikas, a hotel owner in Bhagsunag, who has a card swipe machine on his premises, said: “The Internet facility in the area was a problem. Many a time, telephone lines do not function and the card swipe machines stop working. The government should first improve the telecom infrastructure before going towards the cashless economy.” Managing director of Kangra Central Cooperative Bank Rahit Kahlon said cash was available with the bank and they were making arrangements for paying salaries. She, however, refused to divulge how much cash was being provided to farm societies in villages.
