In agricultural associations of “Gulistan”, “Vatan” and “Enish” of Sayat etrap in Lebap velayat ATMs are installed inside buildings of local councils However, local residents are unable to get there in order to withdraw cash, correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” report.
Local councils are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Only employees of local administrations, including executives and even cleaners can use ATMs. Except their own bank cards, each of them have 10 to 15 cards owned by their relatives for whom they also withdraw cash.
There is a shortage of cash even for a limited number of people. Therefore, on the days when cash machines are loaded, employees of local administrations withdraw cash for themselves and their family members.
Others have to make arrangements with an official of the administration to withdraw cash for a fee of 5 to 10% of the amount withdrawn.
PDQ machines which allow paying for a purchase with a bank card are available in rural state-run stores. However, there are no basic groceries which residents need. It is mostly soft drinks and sweets that are sold there.
Some privately-owned stores are equipped with PDQ machines but shop assistants request a fee of 1 to 3 manats, which is allegedly charged for cash free payments. For this reason customers prefer to pay in cash.
Let us recall that in recent years cash turnover has been reduced in Turkmenistan. At a meeting held in February President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov again ordered to regulate cash turnover and make sure it does not exceed 40%.
In April the head of state emphasized that reducing cash turnover and implementing cash free payments are the prospective areas banks need to focus on.The post Only staff of khyakimlik’s offices are allowed to use ATMs in rural areas of Lebap first appeared on Chronicles of Turkmenistan.