Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said there has been a “drastic decrease” in terrorism and maoism since the Centre decided to ban Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. “These were at their peaks even two years ago. But this government has been able to curb such activities,” he said.
Singh, who was addressing a rally in Haryana’s Rewari district, urged the people to “bear with the inconvenience” for few more days. He promised the people that the scheme to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes will usher in a “golden future” for India. He said that people had voted for a change and this demonetisation scheme was a step in that direction.
Singh’s comments came amid uproar in the Rajya Sabha by the Opposition parties over the move and the inconvenience it has caused to the people. Earlier in the day, Congress leader Anand Sharma accused the government of creating anarchy in the country. “Which law allows you to stop us from withdrawing our own money from the banks?” he asked.
Several Opposition parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, have been preparing to corner the ruling National Democratic Alliance over its surprise announcement on demonetising Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. Some politicians, including Arvind Kejriwal, have even accused the BJP of warning its top brass before announcing the decision.
On November 8, Modi had said that the demonetisation of high-value currency notes was an attempt to crack down on corruption and black money in the country. He has since thanked the public for their cooperation while exchanging their old currency and promised that their inconvenience will only last 50 days.
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