Demonetisation: 'Book My Chotu' app offers helpers to brave ATM, bank queues

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s war on black money and the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes has shaken the nation. While the country seems split between deciding whether it’s a good or bad move, some entrepreneurial individuals are using this as a clever business opportunity. With many people forced to stand in line to either exchange their notes or deposit them a Delhi-based start-up called Book My Chotu is using it as an opportunity to provide some gainful employment and make some money as well.

The Delhi-based start-up which describes itself as ‘first on-demand helper booking website’.

The hired person would charge Rs 90 per hour for standing in the queue, media reports said. The helper will not enter the ATM or the bank, but will simply inform the person about the status so that he or she can take place on time.

CEO and founder Satjeet Singh Bedi told Hindustan Times: “It started when my mother was ill and I needed immediately needed cash. I requested my teammates to stand in the queue in place of me and quickly replaced them when my turn came.”

When asked if other people standing in the queues objected, Bedi said that it was already a common practice amongst family members and insisted that ‘chotus’ be treated with respect.

The company, however, specified that no "Chotu" is below 18 years of age. To hire him, the person needs to go to their website, and choose the number of people required along with the number of hours that the person wants him for. BMC will then send a confirmation.  

A Facebook post from the company claimed: “Are you short of cash? Need a Helper to stand in Queue of the bank / atm till the time your turn comes?? www.bookmychotu.com First on demand helper booking service Hire Hourly Helpers @INR 90 per hr Available in DELHI NCR

****Please note our boys will not go inside bank , they will just stand in the queue for our customers as we understand that there can be some emergency and our helpers can help you in the same by saving your valuable time . Also chotu is just a name, all our helpers are above 18yrs of age.

(The article first appeared in DNA)