BADIN, Oct 13 Hundreds of simpletons in possession of Watan cards are tricked into paying social workers carrot for drawing cash from the ATMs through their cards.

Banks authorised to pay amount on production of Watan cards turn away holders because of heavy rush with the advice to get cash from the ATM.

However, poor villagers who don't have the slightest idea as how to draw money from the ATM fall prey to elements who cash on their simplicity by asking them money for helping them draw amount from the machines.

The UBL's Badin branch is the only bank paying money through their cash counter.

The ATM operations have left hundreds of illiterate people at the mercy of swindlers who in desperation to avoid long dragging process, meekly fall into the hands of unscrupulous.

The HBL's ATM booth at Badin branch was a scene of chaotic conditions on Monday because of the trailing rush causing traffic jam on Quaid-i-azam Road.

This correspondent witnessed long queues of illiterate Watan cards holders waiting for their turn to receive cash. People were present since early morning.

Almost every card holder was seen entering into the ATM booth with another person who was acting as his assistance and milking him in the name of service charge, while occasionally bank officials too, were seen visiting the ATM booth.

Dawn correspondent entered into an ATM booth to ascertain the true picture. It dawned on him that three people were present inside including Wazir Jatt a flood victim, a man Abdul Rauf Jamali holding a couple of Watan cards and a journalist who immediately slipped out on seeing this correspondent.

Abdul Rauf Jamali when questioned by this correspondent posed himself as a social worker who was out there to help flood victims in getting their cards en-cashed.

Flood victim Wazir Jatt accused this correspondent of disturbing the whole process by entering into the booth as he could make his way inside after a long wait and was requesting these people to get his card en-cashed.

Khamoon Mallah, another victim from a relief camp and had three people ahead of him said that his turn was finally approaching on the third day after standing in the queue for 12 hours, from 8am to 8pm. The fact that this was not a cash counter but an ATM booth perturbed him to bits as he was completely unaware of its operation. The poor man was aghast and firmly said that he would seek help of someone for drawing money from the machine.

Another victim Qasim Jatt was a bit intelligent who denied a youngster who approached him for getting Rs19,500 out of the total Rs20,000 as he sought Rs500 as commission for drawing out money from the ATM. Jatt did not believe the youngster over the reports that many people lost their Watan cards at the hands of such people.An official of the HBL when inquired about payments from cash counters said that there was no cash facility at banks where an ATM booth was established.

He acknowledged that many innocent people were being cheated and the bank has no role whatsoever in it, besides villagers were shy to seek assistance of bank officials.

He said bank officials were strictly forbidden to enter into an ATM booth when an individual was drawing money. However, he hinted at action against those involved in this illegal practice.

When asked whether any bank official would be deputed for helping card holders in getting money through the ATM, he said no such instructions were received from the bank's head-office.

Similar situation was witnessed at other ATM booths. The boots remained closed on Tuesday on grounds best known to bank managers.