‘Black Day’ by Opposition, but government firm

New Delhi: As the government’s demonetisation drive completed a month, all Opposition parties led by the Congress observed a ‘ Black Day’ on Thursday, while two Union ministers strongly backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s radical move and said the protest was actually a “support black money day.”   

In the morning, Opposition MPs from both Houses gathered in front of the Gandhi statue inside Parliament. They wore black bands on their arms and “paid tributes to the people who lost their lives due to demonetisation.”

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi hit out at PM Modi, terming his decision ‘foolish’, which has “devastated the country.” He said “More than 100 people have died. Farmers, fishermen, daily-wage earners have been hit hard. But the PM is laughing, he is having a nice time.” The Congress leader mocked Mr Modi’s “cashless India” drive, saying, “PayTM equals to Pay To Modi.”

The government hit back strongly with information and broadcasting minister Venkaiha Naidu saying, “Our opponents particularly the Congress, are observing a Black Day. I say what they are observing is a ‘Black Money Support Day. Dharna by Opposition parties near the Gandhi statute in Parliament is a big ‘tamasha’ and an insult to the Father of Nation.” He said that praise has poured in from abroad on demonetisation.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley said demonetisation would lead to a cleaner economy in the long run as banks will have more funds to lend. He said the PM could have taken the easy way out like many others but he chose the hard option. “Prime Minister had the broad shoulder to face the consequence,” he said.  

CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury blamed the PM for “the mess created in the country.” He said “The Prime Minister is singularly responsible for the entire mess in our economy because it was his announcement, as his personal decision and not that of the Union Cabinet. Let him be accountable to the House. Why is he running away from Parliament?”

On November 8, the government recalled Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. It meant Rs 14.6 lakh crore or 86% of the total cash in circulation became invalid. The idea was to junk fake currency and unearth untaxed money, but new fake bills are already in circulation. Also, Rs 12 lakh crore in old currency is already back in banks, while deposit deadline ends on December 30.

Millions have been scrambling to exchange/deposit the scrapped notes and withdraw cash, which has been in short supply. The Opposition says more than 100 deaths have taken place due to the chaos. The government has also been changing rules on withdrawal, deposit and currency validity. The move has sparked a slowdown in key sectors and disrupted rural economy.