Govt. wants to scrap black money, Opposition wants to shut Parliament: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday criticised the opposition for disruptions in parliament, maintaining that the government only wanted to scrap black money, whereas the opposition wanted to shut parliament.

Addressing a Parivartan rally in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi said, "It has happened for the first time that some people raised slogans in parliament to help dishonest people. The agenda of the government was to scrap black money, but the opposition wanted to shut parliament. The government wanted to debate, but the opposition ran away; they were scared."

He further said the nation is divided in two parts, on one side there are political leaders who are working to protect black money, corruption and dishonesty, and on the other side, is the nation which is ready to do anything to walk the path of honesty.

Talking about donations to political parties, PM Modi said, much time is wasted and no development activities take place because the nation almost always is in election mode.

"I appeal to the Election Commission to start a dialogue on this. It is the responsibility of political parties to set an example for non-corrupt practices. I said at an all party meet which was held before the winter session, that a discussion on how political parties get funds should take place in parliament," he added.

Taking potshots at the Congress party, the Prime Minister said, "People used to say that Rajiv Gandhi has given computers, and today when I say to make mobile phones your bank, they say where is the phone?"

"One side they (the opposition) say that the poor people don't have bank accounts, and on the other side, they say poor people are not given money when they go to the banks.don't mislead the people," PM Modi said.

"Before demonetisation, there was 1,000 rupee note, nobody cared for Rs. 500 and Rs. 100 notes, and now, the value of Rs. 100 is seen post the November 8 directive," he added.

Talking about the benefits of the digital economy PM Modi said, "Shopkeepers who are using debit or credit cards to receive payments will also receive rewards in thousands of rupees in a lucky draw scheme,"

"Now, we are using technology to track those who have stashed black money, we are vigilant and raids are being conducted in the country," he added.

Also talking about the initiatives that have been taken up by the government to empower the youth especially in Uttar Pradesh, PM Modi said, "Youth can contribute a lot to the growth of the nation if given the right kind of exposure and facilities. People in Uttar Pradesh are tired of 'goondaism'. Those people have support from the government; till the Lucknow Government is not changed, this problem will not be solved."

"There are 1,500 to 1,600 villages in Uttar Pradesh where there is no electricity..why are they forced to live in the 18th century..I had said earlier also that within 1,000 days, I will make sure the villages get electrified." PM Modi said.

This is the sixth Parivartan Rally addressed by the Prime Minister in Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier, Mr. Modi addressed rallies at Ghazipur, Agra, Kushinagar, Moradabad and Bahraich. He emphasised how technology and skill development of the youth can be utilised for the development of the country.