Demonetisation done 'surreptitiously', says CPM leader Basu

Describing demonetisation as a political decision, senior CPI(M) leader Nilotpal Basu today claimed the cash recall exercise was undertaken by the Centre in a "surreptitious" manner and without planning, which caused hardship to people.
"There are serious doubts about the way this government takes decisions. The decision of demonetisation was taken surreptitiously. Very few people were aware of it and the way people are suffering, it seems there was no proper planning behind it," he told reporters here.
The CPI(M) Central Secretariat member was here to meet the party functionaries.
"The entire Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is demanding a proper discussion (on demonetisation) along with voting."

The BJP-led NDA government is avoiding a debate because it knows its own leaders and MPs are disappointed (over currency invalidation drive). The announcement was more of a political decision than an economic decision," Basu said.
The CPM leader sought to know what the Modi Government has achieved by its November 8 announcement scrapping the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

"There are reports that of the total estimated black money, only 6 percent is in cash. What have you (the Modi Government) achieved by scrapping the 86 per cent notes in circulation?
"People from the unorganised sector, working class and daily wagers have suffered the most. In the name of action against black money, the Government has made the poor suffer immensely," Basu said.

"Look at the change in tone of the Prime Minister from November 8 to 28. First, he termed demonetisation as a move to curb black money, terror funding and fake currency notes," he said.
"Then he changed the narrative from blackmoney to cashless society. The BJP also drew a parallel between people standing in queues (at banks and ATMs) and armed forces protecting borders. It clearly shows the decision was flawed," the former Rajya Sabha member said.