Demonetisation decision sans Cabinet approval: Congress

Congress today alleged that the demonetisation decision by the Narendra Modi government has no legal sanction as it was taken without Cabinet approval and Presidential assent.
"The announcement to scrap high denomination currency notes was made through television and had no legal sanction," AICC general secretary Mohan Prakash alleged.
"In 1978 demonetisation, an Ordinance was promulgated by the then Government and a Bill was introduced in the Parliament. In this case, there is no cabinet approval and Presidential assent," Prakash alleged.
He charged that "some foreign powers" wanted to weaken the Indian economy and Rupee.
"If currency notes are scrapped through a broadcast announcement, what is the credibility of Indian Rupee and economy," Prakash asked reporters here.

"Those economists and administrative experts, who are well versed with rural economy will never take such a decision. Every day, the government is making new announcements. This is an unprecedented situation leading to uncertainty in the country. The demonetisation decision is without proper planning and vision. There is economic anarchy," the Congress General Secretary said.

He claimed that the note ban was not affecting the rich but the daily wagers, vegetable vendors, and farmers.
"If government says standing in queues outside banks is patriotism, then will those who have died due to this, be declared as martyrs," Prakash questioned.
"This is the season for sowing of Rabbi crops and selling of produce," he said.

"What is the logic in printing Rs 2,000 denomination currency notes. If implementation is flawed, the decision taken is also faulty," he said when asked if Congress was against the move.
The senior leader said when the UPA government decided to withdraw Rs 500 denomination notes printed before 2005, Cabinet approval was taken for it.
Meanwhile, Prakash, who is in-charge for Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh expressed confidence that his party would win the Shadol Lok Sabha and Nepanagar Assembly constituency by- election in MP.