PM living in own unrealistic world, portraying wrong image of India: Congress

The Congress on Sunday said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is living in his own unrealistic world and accused him of portraying a wrong image of India globally by his statements on demonetisation.

"The Prime Minister is living in his own unrealistic world and is portraying a wrong image in front of the world that India is full of corrupt people and the economy is dependent on that," said Congress leader Anand Sharma.

Sharma warned the prime minister to be careful about the words he chooses and to stop insulting the former government and the people of the country through his remarks.

"Due to his ego, a poor country like India, where people are not able to get food; those who don't have bank accounts, are suffering. How can they go cashless? A cashless economy is nowhere across the globe? He destroyed the entire banking system and is now giving a sermon to others," he said.

Asserting that it will take 50 days for the situation to normalise post demonetisation, Prime Minster Narendra Modi today appealed to the people to embrace digital banking to tide over the currency crunch.

In a renewed push for making India a cashless economy, Prime Minister Modi in his Mann Ki Baat programme said, "Scrapping these notes has opened other avenues to make payments. Download apps of banks and e-payment options. Shopkeepers can keep card swiping facilities and everyone can ensure they pay safe using their credit and debit cards."

He asked traders and small shop owners to provide alternative payment methods such as using POS machines, e-payment wallets and other such "friendly technologies" to their patrons.

The prime minister said that by adopting such technology, even small traders can immensely increase their profits.