In a bizarre incident at a petrol pump in Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh, a petrol pump worker resorted to draining fuel from a customer’s vehicle after the man presented a Rs 2,000 note as payment. A video capturing the incident quickly spread across social media, sparking widespread attention and debate.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident unfolded when the customer had his scooter filled with fuel and handed a Rs 2,000 note to the petrol pump worker. Rather than accepting the high-denomination note, the worker insisted on receiving smaller denominations. Failing to comply with the worker’s demand, the customer faced a surprising consequence: the worker proceeded to pump out the recently filled petrol from the scooter’s tank using a pipe.
Following the incident, Rajiv Girhotra, the manager of the petrol pump, shed light on the growing issue of an influx of Rs 2,000 notes in circulation. He explained that since the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced its decision to withdraw the Rs 2,000 denomination banknotes, the burden had fallen disproportionately on petrol pumps. Girhotra shared that they were witnessing an alarming rise in the number of customers attempting to exchange the high-value notes for smaller denominations at petrol stations.
Girhotra further elaborated, “The people are offering Rs 2,000 in exchange for Rs 1,950. Earlier, we hardly received three to four Rs 2,000 notes, which have now increased to 70 notes per day. We don’t have any problem accepting Rs 2,000 notes if someone buys petrol of that amount or higher.”
The Reserve Bank of India had recently announced its decision to withdraw the Rs 2,000 denomination banknotes from circulation. However, the central bank clarified that the notes would continue to be accepted as legal tender. This move aims to gradually phase out the high-value currency notes and encourage the usage of smaller denominations for daily transactions.
The incident at the petrol pump in Jalaun has highlighted the challenges faced by businesses, particularly petrol stations, in dealing with the sudden surge of Rs 2,000 notes in circulation. While the RBI’s decision was aimed at promoting the use of lower denominations, it appears that the burden of managing the transition has fallen upon various sectors of the economy.
Authorities are now investigating the incident and examining the petrol pump worker’s actions. Meanwhile, the video serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing changes in India’s currency landscape and the challenges faced by businesses and individuals alike in adapting to these changes.
As the RBI continues its efforts to promote a smoother transition and address the issues arising from the withdrawal of the Rs 2,000 notes, it remains to be seen how the situation will evolve and whether further measures will be taken to alleviate the burden on businesses and consumers during this transitional period.
