Hyderabad: At a time when cash demand is surging for kharif cultivation, weddings and household expenses, customers across Telangana are finding it increasingly difficult to withdraw their own money from banks. A shortage of currency at several branches has reportedly led to daily withdrawal limits of just ₹10,000-20,000, leaving farmers, pensioners, traders and salaried employees scrambling for cash.Telangana has one of the largest banking networks in the country. Cash for branches and ATMs is supplied through around 150 currency chests across the state. However, bankers said several branches have been receiving less cash than they indent, forcing them to ration withdrawals and depend on daily deposits to meet customer demand.Several customers said banks were asking them to inform branches a day in advance for withdrawals of ₹1 lakh or more. In some cases, customers were advised to opt for online transactions instead of cash withdrawals.The shortage has come at a critical time for farmers as the kharif season gathers pace. Payments towards cotton and paddy procurement, Rythu Bharosa assistance and crop loans have recently been credited into accounts. However, many farmers say they are unable to withdraw adequate amounts to buy seeds, fertilisers and pesticides or meet other cultivation expenses.“We went to the bank to withdraw money for farm operations, but the staff said only ₹10,000 could be withdrawn. They asked us to come back over the next few days if we needed more cash. During the sowing season, we cannot afford to keep visiting the bank,” said Ramesh Goud, a farmer from Karimnagar district.The problem is not limited to farmers. Customers in urban areas are also facing restrictions despite having sufficient balances in their accounts.“My salary is credited on time every month, but when I needed cash to pay an advance for a family function, the bank asked me to take only ₹20,000 and return the next day. If the money is in my account, I should be able to withdraw it whenever I need,” said Srinivas Rao, a private company employee from Hyderabad.The cash shortage has also affected ATM services in several locations. Customers reported encountering machines displaying ‘transaction declined’ messages or running out of cash, forcing them to visit multiple ATMs before finding one with sufficient currency.Bank officials said branches receive cash based on daily indents and the availability of currency at chests. According to bankers, even when a branch seeks ₹10 lakh, it may receive only ₹5-6 lakh, leaving officials with little choice but to prioritise withdrawals and manage demand carefully.Senior citizens, small traders and residents of rural areas are among the worst affected, as many continue to rely heavily on cash for day-to-day transactions. While bankers insist there is no official restriction on withdrawals, they attribute the difficulties to temporary shortages at individual branches and uneven cash availability across the banking network.
