Bhubaneswar/Cuttack, Nov. 18: The going has been tough for Paresh Sahoo, 42, a businessman from Cuttack whose sister-in-law's marriage is scheduled on December 4. His case resembles the plight of scores of others faced with the prospect of organising such cash-intensive events in the wake of demonetisation of the currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.
"It is really difficult to arrange things and make payments as bulk of the caterers, as well as mandap owners, are refusing to accept old notes," said Paresh. His sister-in-law Kalyani will tie the knot with Bangalore-based financial analyst Sashank Didmesha at Haramani mandap at Nayabazar on December 4.
"As most Odia families prefer to cook themselves for marriages instead of assigning the task to caterers, it has become difficult to purchase essential items as traders at Malgodown are not accepting old currency notes," he said.
Both the bride and groom are expected to arrive in Cuttack by the end of this month, but their family members are running from pillar to post to arrange necessary funds for the marriage.
"We were told that we could draw up to Rs 2.5 lakh for marriages. But, the weekly withdrawal limit from our accounts is Rs 24,000 only. The tiring and cumbersome process of withdrawing money also frightens us," said Biswaranjan Sahoo, bride's father.
Demonetisation has also hit the plans of Bijay Sahu, 45, an insurance agent who came to the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation's office today to book flexi-toilets for her niece's marriage scheduled in December. "We are in the midst of preparations. We have been forced to use only cheques or cards for payments," said Sahu.
Kalyan mandaps
There have been no problems for those who had booked kalyan mandaps in advance in the twin cities. According to the booking status of these mandaps in Bhubaneswar, at least three to four such facilities will remain booked almost everyday till the end of November. However, the civic body sources said that there has been less booking of mandaps this year compared to previous years when the banquets remained full during the wedding season. More than 35 marriages are scheduled to be held at kalyan mandaps across Cuttack by the end of November. "As most of the people had booked the mandaps by paying in advance, we have told them to pay the remaining amount either by cheques or demand drafts," said the manager of a mandap. "We will not be surprised if there are last minute cancellations," said an official.
Orchestra groups
N. Laxmi Narayan, proprietor of Tirupati Band in Cuttack, said that demonetisation had not affected their overall business as they were accepting old notes.
"Usually, we charge Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 for performing in baraat ceremonies. Those who have booked us have faced no problems as we are accepting old currency. We can get the money exchanged as December 30 is the deadline," said Narayan.
He said that most of the orchestra and band party groups had received advance payments for nearly 10 marriages in November, five to eight in December and almost six in January next year. G. Krishna Rao, a brass band owner in Bhubaneswar, said that he had already accepted the bookings for dates such as November 23, 25, 28, and December 1. "The bookings are usual. But, I am worried about the payment. I can't opt for the cashless transactions since I do not have a bank account," said Rao.
Flower shops
Shops selling flowers have been hit hard by currency scrap. Most flower shops are witnessing a drop in customers. The shop owners said that they were finding it difficult to procure flowers as cash transactions are made in this business. As a result, there are fewer bookings for marriages as well.
"The market is a little dull this time. We are getting fewer calls for weddings. The decision of the government has affected us again when it comes to procuring the flowers as many of them are being exported from neighbouring states. As the high denomination notes are not available, our payments are also getting delayed and the sellers are refusing to transport the materials," said Dilip Kumar Tripathy, a flower shop owner at Unit-I Market.
Catering
The catering sector has also been hit by the demonetisation decision ahead of the wedding season. Kiran Mishra, a caterer at Ekamra Haat, said that bookings for this wedding season were at an all-time low due to the scrapping of the high denomination notes. "We get many orders for marriages and other ceremonies around this time every year. But, the business has been down like never before. We have been left high and dry. We haven't got a single call as of now," said Mishra. Another caterer, Hiralal Agrawal, also recounted the same gloomy scene. He said that they were not getting orders this season like previous seasons. "We often get orders for catering at least once a week. The number of orders increases to two to three a week during marriage season. But, the scenario is completely different this time," said Agrawal.
