Bhopal, Apr 17 (IANS): A large number of ATMs failed to dispense cash to customers for the second consecutive day on Tuesday in many cities and towns of Madhya Pradesh, including state capital Bhopal, putting the common man to inconvenience.

A large number of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) were empty and there were long queues at others where cash was still available.

On Monday, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in Shajapur: "It is a conspiracy. Certain persons are hoarding Rs 2,000 notes to cause a cash crunch. When demonetisation was announced in 2016, there was Rs 15.50 lakh crore in circulation in the market. Now, this figure is Rs 16.50 lakh crore. Where are the notes of Rs 2,000 denomination going?"

State Finance Minister Jayant Malaya admitted to currency shortage but maintained that black marketing of Rs 2,000 notes could not be ruled out.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said in Delhi that "there is more than adequate currency in circulation", though "unusual demand" had led to cash shortage in some areas.