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A Santa Claus stands at the entrance of Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha at Gurudwara Road (aka Kalibari Road) in Dimapur. Demonetization has affected festive activities in Dimapur to an extent but activities that surround Christmas and New Year continue. (EM Images)[/caption]
Dimapur, Dec. 21: Christmas week is here and Dimapur town, the commercial hub of Nagaland, and neighbouring states is already feeling the warmth of the festive season. And it’s feeling the heat too- daily traffic jams, and packed markets, not to mention the stress from the recent demonetisation.
Ever since the demonetisation of the Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes by the government of India on November 8, close to the festive season, there has been a rush in all banks across the state. The rush and the stress continue and have left people in uncertainty surrounding their Christmas and New Year plans and celebrations.
Nonetheless, a peek into Dimapur’s market does not seem to show any sign of ‘demonetisation’s aftermath’ as sale of decorative materials, gifts and garments continue in full swing. Traders and hawkers said that they have been sceptical at the outcome from the demonetisation of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes and the issue of the new Rs. 2000 note.
Now with a month since, the market activities seem to be stabilizing. However, the only concern of some customers is the cash-withdrawal limit which has been set at Rs. 2000 a day for a customer from ATMs; the lack of Card Swipe machine facilities in most of the shops to pay high sums of money.
Most shops continue to notify customers of their rejection of the old notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000: they have displayed at the entrance of their shops signs for example. To mitigate the problem, some shops have installed Card Swipe machines so that they do not ‘ruin’ their business or create inconvenience to customers.
Nonetheless, demonetisation has not entirely ruined the festive mood of the state, as people from various districts and neighbouring states continue to pour in Dimapur to do a last-minute festive shopping.
Those with the relevant form of currency, in change, are least bothered with demonetisation as they make their way to the markets. The festive mood has for a time being occupied the attention of the people but the effect of demonetisation on the local economy will be seen only after the festivities have faded.
