Private hospitals turn away big notes, pharmacies accept them

The government in it's release had stated that pharmacies can accept Rs 500/1000 notes upto 72 hours. Some pharmacy owners have even started accepting cards for sums below Rs 100

Most private hospitals across the country have stopped accepting denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1000. With big notes going out of transactions from midnight, kin of patients are a worried lot. While many are looking at plastic as a way of payment, most people unaware of the reform are running from pillar to post.

"Since last night we have stopped accepting Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. It was a management decision. We are asking our patients or their kin to either pay by card or remit through cash in Rs 100s only. Some are finding it difficult but we are not in a position to accept nig notes", said a private hospital staff in South Bengaluru.

Cases of agents trying to make profit during panic is being reported from various districts. In Kalburgi of Karnataka, agents outside the district hospital were seen exchanging Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes with Rs 100 notes, ripping off the common man with a commission of Rs 100 for every Rs 1000.

Pharmacies, however, are accepting big notes. The government in it's release had stated that pharmacies can accept Rs 500/1000 notes upto 72 hours. Some pharmacy owners have even started accepting cards for sums below Rs 100. "Medicines are immediate and sometimes life saving commodities. I can't turn away my customers simply because I can't accept a Rs 500 or Rs 1000 note. I am accepting cards for purchases as low as Rs 60 since I understand the situation", said Rajkiran a Pharmacy owner