Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday took a jibe at Narendra Modi’s government a day after Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel said that they were still counting the demonetised currency. Patel had said that the central bank had no final figure on how much currency was deposited with the bank.
Reacting to Patel’s comments, Gandhi said that the government of India was looking for a math tutor. “Please apply to PMO ASAP,” he said on Twitter.
Senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidamabaram also criticised the RBI for the delay in counting the currency. “RBI [is] buying note counting machines 8 months after demonetisation! Has RBI not heard of leasing?” he tweeted.
He also mocked the Centre’s claim that over 7 crore people have been employed under the Mudra loan scheme. “That is title of mythological serial beginning today. Scriptwriters may apply,” he said.
Patel had told a Parliamentary panel that the RBI has been using several counting machines to quickly finish calculating how much money had been submitted, and that the bank was planning to rent more such machines. He had further said that he could not provide a date by which the RBI can submit such a figure.
The central government was massively criticised after it announced the demonetisation of the notes on November 8 last year. It had said the move was done to smoke out black money holders, though Opposition parties and some economists had said the decision had impacted Indians and the economy negatively.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!