Public utilities should accept demonetised notes: CPI

Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "emotional" defence of demonetisation, the CPI on Wednesday demanded that the demonetised currency notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 should be made acceptable by public utilities and called for strong action on real black money holders.

Communist Party of India General Secretary S. Sudhakar Reddy, in a statement, said Modi's "dramatic move backfired while Indian economy is in chaos".

"Instead of accepting the fact that the demonetisation has been introduced without proper arrangements and failed to foresee the consequence, the Prime Minister is resorting to dramatic defence," Reddy said.

"Tears in Modi's eyes cannot wipe out tears of crores of people in the country," he added.

He also said that a "huge deposit in banks in the last quarter" created doubts about black money hoarders having knowledge about the government's move.

"Vijay Mallya, Lalit Modi and Panama accused are moving freely while the people are being punished," said Reddy.

He said that Modi's comment that poor people in the country are happy with the decision is far from the truth, and it "added insult to injury" to a large number of people whose life has become "miserable".

"The nation needs a reply why black money stashed in foreign banks could not be brought back after two and a half years rule of Narendra Modi, as he promised earlier. Explain why two thousand rupee notes are issued which will again help to increase black money."

"If the Prime Minister is sincere, he should express regrets to the nation and set things right by allowing people to use the old currency till December 31, 2016, for all public utilities," said Reddy and demanded strong action on real black money holders, including on all those whose names are exposed in Panama Leaks.

--IANS

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