PM Modi Thanks People For Support, Rahul Calls Note Ban a Tragedy
The CBI has registered 77 cases in connection with note ban.
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Wednesday, 8 November, marks one year since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s big surprise announcement to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. The Congress-led Opposition, which has heavily criticised demonetisation over the past year, has launched nationwide protests to observe what has labelled ‘Black Day’. Meanwhile, BJP stalwarts, including Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley, are busy defending demonetisation and its benefits.
Stay tuned for all the live updates.
- Today marks one year of the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes
- PM Modi thanks people for helping eradicate black money and tweets short film on the benefits of note ban
- The Congress-led Opposition holds nationwide protests themed ‘Bhugat Raha Hai Desh’
Union Minister Rajnath Singh accuses Congress of trying to defame the Centre, calls demonetisation and GST strong economic measures
Ravi Shankar Prasad Slams Rahul Gandhi
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad slammed Rahul Gandhi for using a photograph of ex-serviceman Nand Lal crying while standing in a bank queue post demonetisation, saying that Lal has stated on record that he supports PM Modi.
This is what the Congress leader had earlier tweeted:
Demonetisation Struck Blow to Anti-India Forces: Parrikar
Former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said demonetisation has struck a blow to anti-India forces and empowered the poorest of poor through an increase in financial inclusion and formalisation of the economy.
Union Minister Smriti Irani flags off ‘Digital Rath’
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani today flagged off a ‘Digital Rath’ as part of an initiative to create awareness among people regarding cashless transactions in different cities.
CBI Registers 77 Cases
The CBI, in a press release, has disclosed that it registered 77 cases and seven preliminary enquiries post demonetisation related to exchange of demonetised currency in various departments/agencies including banks, post offices, railways, insurance companies etc. It said that the amount involved in these cases is around Rs 395.19 crore approximately.
The CBI has arrested 21 public servants and 26 private persons out of 307 accused found to be involved in these cases, so far.
No One Can Deny That Lives and Jobs Were Lost: Chidambaram
Launching a scathing attack on the Modi government on the note ban anniversary, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram today said millions of people “suffered” and no one can deny that lives and jobs were lost due to the call.
Chidambaram tweeted, “Cash with public Rs 15 lakh crore and increasing, will soon reach Nov 2016 level of Rs 17 lakh crore (sic).”
He said how much cash (money supply) there should be, is a decision of the RBI and not the government.
Chidambaram claimed that artificial reduction of cash in circulation is one of the reasons for lower demand and lower growth.
Terrorism Badly Hit, Says Nirmala Sitharaman
Speaking to the media in Chennai today, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman listed the “biggest achievements” of demonetisation. She said:
She also participated in a signature campaign organised by the Tamil Nadu BJP youth wing.
Rahul to Participate in 'Black Day' Protest in Surat
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will participate in a candle-light vigil as part of the Opposition parties’ ‘Black Day’ protest in Surat.
Gandhi is expected to reach Surat this morning, after which he will have informal meetings with the industry representatives and workers during the day, sources in the Congress said.
BJP Workers Celebrate Note Ban Anniversary in Varanasi
As a mark of protest, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor changed his Twitter profile picture to a black square.
Flesh Trade Declined After Note Ban: Ravi Shankar Prasad
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday claimed that flesh trade and trafficking of women had reduced substantially in the country due to demonetisation.
He also claimed that the economic move brought down the number of stone-pelting incidents in Kashmir and put a check on Naxal activities.
“Flesh trade has nosedived in India. Trafficking of women and girls has gone down considerably,” the minister said while listing the “achievements of demonetisation”.
PM Tweets Video on 'Benefits of Demonetisation'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter today to thank people for “supporting” note ban and tweeted a video explaining the benefits of demonetisation.
Demonetisation a Tragedy, Tweets Rahul Gandhi
Watershed Moment For Indian Economy: Jaitley
The Finance Minister called demonetisation a ‘watershed moment for the Indian economy’. He added that the ‘anti-black money drive’ was a moral step.
Responding to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s criticism, Jaitley said “All he has to do is to compare global credibility of Indian economy pre-2014 and post-2014.”
Demonetisation's Objectives Not Met: Manmohan Singh
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while discussing the current economic situation with traders and businessmen in Ahmedabad, said that he was shocked when he heard PM Modi’s note ban announcement last year and “wondered who advised him on this reckless step”.
‘Bhugat Raha Hai Desh’ Protests
Opposition parties are all set to observe one year of demonetisation, 8 November, as ‘Black Day’. Country-wide protests against demonetisation with the theme ‘Bhugat Raha Hai Desh’ (the country is suffering) have been planned.
Congress leaders were quoted as saying that the people of the country will never pardon the BJP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will go down in India's history alongside Muhammad Bin Tughlak for the “gross misadventure” of demonetisation that wreaked havoc with India’s economy. On 24 October, PTI quoted Ghulam Nabi Azad, Opposition Leader, Rajya Sabha, as saying: “Each political party will try to give a regional name to observe this as a 'Black Day' and will hold protests and processions”.
Congress Trying to Defame Centre: Rajnath Singh
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh lashed out at the Congress on 7 November, accusing it of trying to defame the Central government on the economic front. Demonetisation and GST are strong economic measures, he told ANI.
'Kalo Dibas': Mamata Blackens Out Twitter Photo
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Monday, 6 November, said demonetisation was a disaster and urged social media users to change their profile pictures to a black square on 8 November to protest the note ban.
Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien said his party would observe the day as ‘Kalo Dibas’ (which means Black Day in Bengali). He had earlier told PTI:
BJD Washes Hands Off Protests
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s party Biju Janata Dal announced that it will not be a part of any programme to mark the first anniversary of demonetisation as part of its policy to maintain distance from both the BJP and the Congress.
DMK Defers Protests in 8-Rain Hit Districts
On 6 November, the DMK announced it was deferring its protest against note ban in eight rain-hit districts of Tamil Nadu scheduled for 8 November.
The decision came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met DMK patriarch Karunanidhi and his son MK Stalin in Chennai.
The DMK, an ally of the Congress, had earlier said it would stage demonstrations in all district headquarters of Tamil Nadu. DMK leaders said that party workers in all districts must wear black shirts to show their opposition to the note ban.
(With inputs from PTI and IANS)
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