Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Updated
Mangaluru, Nov 8: The district Congress on Wednesday November 8 observed 'black day' at its party office to mark the first anniversary of scrapping of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes on November 8, 2016 by the central government. The Congress leaders termed demonetisation as the 'biggest scam' that favoured only the rich.
Addressing the protestors, minister for food and civil supplies U T Khader said, "We are observing black day across the nation against the BJP-led central government for pushing people into pathetic condition with demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes a year ago. The economic growth was very good when UPA government was at the centre, but since the BJP government came to power the economy has slipped into a critical stage.
"When demonetisation was announced several Congress leaders opined that it would be a tragedy to Indian economy, but nobody listened. BJP should disclose white paper regarding economy. BJP's wrong policy has affected scores of people," he said.
Chief whip of legislative council Ivan D'Souza said, "A year ago demonetisation was termed as 'surgical strike'. But several experts said that it would have a huge negative impact on Indian economy, after which Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a 90-day time frame to bring things back to normalcy, and promised that people would welcome the move thereafter. It has been a year, still people have not recovered from the surgical strike on the notes. People are still running helter skelter. Several people lost their lives because of demonetisation.
"Demonetisation was done with the prime objective to unearth black money and curb terror financing, but neither of these objectives has become a reality till date. Instead, it has claimed several lives of the poor, while none of the big businessmen or rich persons died. No compensation was given to families who lost their loved ones. This has turned out to be India's biggest scam, and a huge advantage for the rich to turn their black money to white," he said.
MLA J R Lobo said, "Demonetisation of notes can be termed as a tragedy due to which the country's growth rate came down drastically. There is nothing wrong in demonetisation, but it was not implemented in the right manner. They should have discussed and given prior intimation to the people and taken alternative measures."
District Congress president Harish Kumar said, "This move of demonetisation was a huge advantage for the rich, as it allowed them to convert their black money to white. Demonetisation favoured the rich and not the poor. The poor had to suffer and even lose their lives."
Mayor Kavita Sanil, deputy mayor Rajaneesh, MCC chief whip Shashidhar Hegde, corporators Akhila Shetty, Appi, Sabitha Misquith and others were present.
Udupi
Demonetisation - District Congress observes black day under Oscar's leadership
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Nov 8: District Congress leaders and workers gathered at Congress Bhavan at Brahmagiri here on Wednesday November 8 to observe 'black day' to protest against measures undertaken by the central government that have been detrimental to the nation and its citizens. Congress activists wearing black bands in their hands participated in the programme.
"Being in the opposition, we have the responsibility to keep monitoring the working of the BJP government, and educate people about upheavals, wrongs, tragedies, financial disasters etc with which the government is involved. We are observing black day for this purpose," All India Congress Committee general secretary, Oscar Fernandes, stated.
"When demonetisation exercise was introduced on November 8, 2016, we were told that it was for the betterment of the country. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, sought 50 days time to show positive results of this measure. It has been 365 days ever since, and the government has nothing show anything that is positive. We are not against note ban, cashless society etc. But we cannot remain silent spectators to the sufferings of the people caused by the central government. When former Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, alerted Modi about the deadly side affects of the measure in the Lok Sabha, Modi spoke lightly of him, asking him why was there any need to wear raincoat when taking bath.
"The government has now confessed that the GDP has come down to 5.8 percent, a fall of one percent which means loss of one percent of population by way of jobs. Modi had assured in meetings to create two crore new jobs every year. In that rate, he should have been able to create seven crore new jobs in three and half years. Instead, two crore have lost their jobs. People of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat etc have come to streets because of sufferings they are going through. Textile industry in Gujarat, which never protested in the past, now came out and participated in the strike because it is facing crisis and Gujarat is facing black day," Oscar stated.
"Modi was talkative in the past but of late his words have become very less. Our party leaders and workers should explain the current financial situation of the country to people during 'Mane Manege Congress' programme. We can see large presence of people in rallies in which Rahul Gandhi speaks, while in Modi's meetings, people can be seen walking away before the end of his address. Modi's meetings are characterized by 'Swachcha' phenomenon, that is lot of vacant seats," he commented.
Oscar said that with the introduction of GST there is 28 percent tax on hotel industry, which in turn, affects common people. He asked party workers to spread this awareness among families. He said that the party is busy preparing for the coming election with popular support. He said that his party is now expected to educate people about the follies of Modi government. Terming many of Modi's measures as mere gimmicks, he said that Modi indulges in various things to cover up for failures. "He promised to bring changes in one month, but failed to show any result. He promised to credit Rs 15 lac rupees to everyone's account by bringing back black money from abroad, but failed to do so. GDP fall has been provided by statistics given by UNESCO. Our country has gone down in the list of BPL nations from No. 67 to 100, which means unemployment and poverty have risen. We have to fight against such things," Oscar added.
Chairman of Karnataka State Minorities Development Corporation, MA Gafoor, said that the measures undertaken by BJP government have created disastrous resuls in financial system. "Several people who stood in long queues in banks during demonetisation exercise collapsed and died. No compensation has been disbursed to them so far, and the Prime Minister has not responded to advice for the same. This is a blot on the country. Small industries suffered huge loss because of demonetisation,. LPG price hike has directly affected poor people. We have protested against such things in Lok Sabha. When banks were nationalized, BJP had protested. Now they are silent. They made changes in planning commission as a result of which the country is sliding down financially. Only Ambanis and Adanis have prospered. Sufferings of common people have increased. Government should take notice of these things," he said.
Many Congress leaders and activists were present.