 "Prakash Javadekar")
In an interview with Sanjay Jog, Union Minister of Human Resources Development Prakash Javadekar, who is also the member of crucial cabinet committee on political affairs, speaks on the politics of demonetisation and the road ahead.
Why did PM chose to address Jan Sabha and not the Lok Sabha on demonetisation?
He was there, he wanted to speak. With an irresponsible opposition there cannot be a rational argument. PM was ready to speak and fully prepared.
On the last day of the Winter Session at the parliamentary party meeting PM gave two best examples on demonetisation. When senior Congress leader and former union minister YB Chavan proposed it to the former PM Indira Gandhi, the then PM asked Chavan ''Do you want that the party should not contest.'' It was clear intention of the Congress not to implement it as its theory is to distribute money and come to power and thereafter to earn money and distribute it again to retain power.
Further, PM also referred to the non implementation of the Benami Property Bill passed during the UPA regime as the rules were not framed nor they were notified. This clearly shows the Congress party's lip service to anti corruption drive. Besides, it was the BJP led government who took the first decision to form the SIT against black money.
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But opposition has blamed PM and the ruling party for the wash out of the winter session. What is your comment?
It is a fact that the Winter Session was washed out but it happened because of reckless opposition parties. For a democracy to survive you need a responsible opposition and responsive government. We were responsive while opposition was irresponsible. Therefore the session was washed out. This is undemocratic, negating the people's mandate and if your don't respect that and do not allow the government to work then this is end of democracy. So all over the country people are criticising the opposition left and right. On the last day opposition pretended to so some work.
We were not disrupting but were asking for the discussion. Opposition adopted different strategies in both the houses. If Congress continues to function on Rahul's lines they were 441 (after 1984 elections), now down to 44 and they will be four in the next election.
BJP MPs have expressed concerns against the inconvenience caused to the people for lack of availability of currency notes of small denominations.
We must salute bank officials and employees who have done a laudable job. There are few branches where things might have gone wrong but steps are being taken for putting in more and more notes in circulation. All four printing presses have been pressed into 24x7 service to print more currency notes especially of small denominations.
Some MPs also warn that BJP may find it difficult to win ensuing assembly polls if the situation does not become normal soon?
BJP will win polls because of PM Modiji's leadership and track record of the government and the BJP. Demonetisation is too big a thing. It has not been done to win the polls. It is for the benefit of the whole country. People are adapting to demonetisation and they are with us. Demonetisation will not in anyway hamper BJP's poll prospects.
As far as the Congress party is concerned, its USP was poor but they have already lost it. Poor have come with us. The vote bank has shifted to BJP but Congress has not yet realised it.
Sting by an eminent channel showed that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has become the All India Currency Conduit involved in changing old notes by charging 40% commission. I wonder when Congress was in power they were corrupt but they continue to be corrupt even in the opposition too. We are changing the country but the Congress is engaged in changing the old currency. (Hum desh badal rahe hai, wo note badal rahe hai). They are exposed badly.
What efforts are being made by the government and the party to reach out to the people?
HRD ministry has launched digital financial literacy campaign. In just four days, one lakh college and university students have joined. I am very sure that ultimately 2.5 million properly trained students will spread the message of how to make digital payments. There will be batches of trainers in every college. Students will convert 10 families each on the digital mode, opening of account, help them to get aadhar, linking aadhar to account and linking of mobile to account. These are pre-requisite for digital transition. Aadhar based payment system will catch up in next two months.
Other ministries are also taking similar initiatives on digital transition. Party will give training to rank and file. We will concentrate on 500 cities with population of one lakh and above as 70% cash transactions happen there, while in the remaining 600,000 villages only 30% cash transactions takes place.
Are days of tax raids and inspector raj back?
No. Modiji is against inspector raj. He in fact wants to do away with it as he wants to bring all the transactions into banking system, which will be tracked.
Is Government still optimistic over the launch of GST despite widened rift with opposition?
GST will happen. The states have recently released advertisements on GST registration for traders. The Winter Session was an exception but the next session will be meaningful one. If Congress will continue to play disruptive politics nobody will trust them.
