Like the entire country, residents of Gurugram are facing immense problems due to the demonetisation drive and can be spotted spending even their day-offs standing in serpentine queues outside banks and ATM booths.
The trading community, too, has been adversely hit by the Centre’s cash clean-up drive, especially during the wedding season.
Many are complaining drop in sale. Due to the non-availability of change, transactions are not taking place. "More than 90 per cent of our transactions takes place through cash. The government should have taken into account our business interests while taking such a decision," said a trader from Sadar Bazaar.
Ever since the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, many, fearing police raids, have shut down their establishments.
Most traders in areas such as Sadar Bazaar, Jacobpura, Qutab Plaza , Sikanderpur and Sector 14 have closed their shops, fearing that they might be harassed by IT officers.
A trader, requesting anonymity, said: “Most of the traders are honest in their transactions and maintain their tax record. But there is a feeling that the officers will harass the traders. We do not want the ‘inspector Raj’ in the city."
Meanwhile, reports that some traders are distributing their illegal wealth among their staff have also started emerging. “There might be some who might not be following the law of the land, but all traders should not be treated like them," said another trader, who owns a shop in Sadar Bazaar, one of the busiest shopping areas in the city.