Demonetisation war: Govt. dares oppn to substantiate allegations

Retorting to allegations levied by opposition parties that the Centre is aiding the rich while the common man is suffering due to demonetisation, Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh on Monday challenged them to produce proof in this regard.

Welcoming the government's decision to ban high-currency notes, Singh said the common man is supporting the Prime Minister's decision.

"It would have been better if the opposition had any proof to substantiate their claims that the government is helping few people because they can say anything but we cannot believe their statements. The common man is supporting the Prime Minister; there are some problems which were expected as this is the transition face. But still we welcome this step," said Singh.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati earlier in the day alleged that Prime Minister Modi-led NDA government announced the demonetisation drive to fulfil their political interest in the wake of upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly polls.

In the Lok Sabha, the Congress and some other opposition parties have insisted on a discussion on demonetisation under Rule 56, which entails voting and through an adjournment motion that implies suspension of all other business.

Prime Minister Modi has said that the ban on high value currency notes is not to agonise anyone but to clean the economy.

Speaking on demonetisation after launching the Pradhanmantri Grameen Awas Yojna, an ambitious housing scheme meant for the rural poor, in Agra yesterday, the Prime Minister said more than five lakh crore cash has been deposited in banks since last ten days.

He thanked the people for bearing the pain of high value note ban.

Prime Minister Modi said his decision to demonetise high value currency notes is punishment for those who has accumulated huge black money.