Note ban, a hasty decision taken with polls in mind: UP CM

Making Rs 500 and Rs 1000 invalid is not a permanent solution to tackle black money and corruption, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said today and felt the upcoming Assembly polls in his state could be the reason for the "step taken in a haste".
"The way in which Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes have been banned, it is creating a lot of problems for the people. Centre has taken this decision in haste. PM could have discussed it in the Parliament before taken the decision," he said on sidelines of function here.
"We are also against black money. Banning Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes is not a permanent solution. The decision might have been taken keeping in mind UP assembly polls. Their (BJP) preparations are not done and Lok Sabha session is going to begin soon," he said.

"Pollution, corruption and blackmoney are problems which cannot be tackled without support of people", he said.
Akhilesh asked the Centre to allow high denomination currency for expenditure in upcoming marriage season, even as state police has been asked to keep vigil near banks to maintain law and order after the decision to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.
The chief minister also urged the Centre to ensure that the decision did not have any adverse impact on the poor, farmers and villagers.

Akhilesh, who is heading the Samajwadi Party government in the poll-bound state, said the Centre should arrange special camps in villages for exchanging existing currency notes saying banks were not easily accessible in the rural areas.

The opposition has termed the Centre's step as hasty and ill-timed coming in the season of harvest and marriages.
Uttar Pradesh police were alerted to maintain strict vigil near banks and other places to maintain law and order.
"Director General of Police Javeed Ahmad has issued directives to all district police chiefs stating that there may be serious law and order issues after the announcement.
"Patrolling and visibility (of force) should be there at market areas, near banks, post offices," Additional SP in DGP office Rahul Srivastava said.
He said police officers have been directed to talk to traders bodies and petrol pumps and keep an eye on situation in rural areas.