New Delhi, Nov 6 (UNI) Ahead of the second anniversary of the announcement of the demonetisation, on November 8, 2016, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress party on Tuesday demanded that the PM apologise to the nation on Thursday, at "exactly at the same time when he announced the decision two years ago", for ruining the Indian economy.
The party said the Congress workers will protest on November 9 across the country to protest the decision to demonetise currency notes of RS 500 and Rs 1000.
Speaking to reporters at the AICC headquarters, party spokesperson Manish Tewari, terming the decision to demonetise the high value Rs 1000 and Rs 500 currencies as a complete failure as none of the objectives has materialised, said,'the Congress demands that on November 8, 2018 exactly at that point in time when the Prime Minister had issued the ‘Tuglaqi farman’ (dictatorial order) two years ago, he must stand up and apologise to the people of this country for ruining and wrecking the economy.'
He added that the recent stand-off between the Reserve Bank of India and Union government should be seen in the background of demonetisation.
“The concerns are increasing in the RBI that the autonomy of the central bank has been eroded, and this has come on the anniversary of ‘Tuglaqi farman’ (dictatorial decision), called demonetisation, which completely destroyed the economy”, Mr Tewari said.
He said the RBI did not stand up to the government when it announced demonetisation, but the RBI has finally found its spine and it is standing up to the government.
“If you would recall two years ago on November 8, the Prime Minister addressed the nation and declared demonetisation of almost 16.99 lakh crores which was in circulation”.
He pointed out that the government gave three reasons to carry out the demonetisation which were curbing black money, weed out fake notes, and proscribe funding for terror network.
“Two years later, none of these objectives has materialised. In fact, more cash in circulation in the economy today than it was on November 8, 2016”, said Mr Tewari.
He said the Congress workers will protest on November 9 across the country and said the Prime Minister must apologies to the people of this country.
UNI KNA AR 1634