Bengaluru: With the Centre allowing public sector oil marketing companies to dispense cash up to Rs 2,000 per day per person, it has come to light that some petrol bunks and commercial establishments in the city are extracting a commission ranging from 10 to 20 per cent every time they give cash to a person.

General public who take cash from petrol bunks and commercial establishments by swiping their credit or debit cards, were forced to shell out a 10 to 20 per cent commission to get hold of some cash as banks and post offices stayed shut on Sunday. Fuel pumps using State Bank POS (point of sale) machines to swipe debit/credit cards provide the service of giving cash.

The reloaded ATMs went dry in the city within an hour. Most of the shoppers were seen requesting the shopkeepers to debit more money from their cards and give them cash in hand instead. While some of the traders were kind-hearted to help the customers, there were many instances where shopkeepers charged commission.

Anand, who had exceeded the withdrawal limit from ATMs, had to rush to a petrol bunk get some cash. He was also forced to pay a commission of Rs 300 in order to get hold of Rs 3,000.

Police officials when queried about the issue stated that they were aware of it and were waiting for a complaint in the regard to take action.