Mad scramble for loose change

.........“There is always a steady demand for coins. We do not get any over-the-counter deposits that are made in coins and the lack of supply forces us to refuse customer requests on most occasions,” says the deputy general manager of a private sector bank, and adds that the only time the banks get coins from the customers is for Government Challan remittances which are still in odd denominations. Most banks receive coins in bulk during the festival season, especially Pongal and Diwali. Small packets with 100 coins of Rs. 5 denomination are kept handy and given to people who ask for change. “When temples have accounts with our banks, their deposits are one of the major sources of coins,” said P. Varsha, a bank employee............

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