Pradesh Congress Joins With All India Congress’ Call for Protest 

Port Blair, Nov. 9: The Andaman and Nicobar Pradesh Congress staged Dharna at Tiranga Park from 10 AM to 1.00 PM today as part of its nation-wide protest called by All India Congress Committee on the second anniversary of failed demonetization.

Leaders and members Pradesh Congress Committee, District Congress Committee, Mahila Congress, Seva Dal, Youth Congress, City Congress Committee, elected bodies and general public from different walks of life gathered protesting against the ill fated, ill- thought and evil designed exercise of demonetization of Indian Currency of denomination of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 two years back by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The Dharna was conducted in the presence of Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma and addresses were made by several senior Congress leaders consisting of Smt. Shanta Singh, Shri. Mohd.Ali, Shri. Paritosh Halder, Shri. Noor Islam, Miss. Mariyam Bibi, Smt. Zubaida Begum, Shri Sanna Rao and others stating that on the night of 8th November 2016, the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi made a very dramatic announcement  of demonetizing of  Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000  notes  intended to eliminate black money, curb terror financing and eradicate fake currency. As a result of this 86% of the Indian currency in circulation amounting to Rs. 15.44 lakhs crore became illegal tender from 9th November 2016 and we all know the various troubles people had to undergo to get their legitimate money from the banks or to use it for various purpose be it medical treatment, paying fees for education of their children, marriage of their son or daughter and so on.

As per the RBI report, out of the Rs. 15.44 lakh crore that was demonetized as many as Rs.15.31 lakh crore i.e. more than 99% is back in the system. Terming the action of Mr. Narendra Modi as ‘Tughlaqi Farman’ the speakers said that the ill effect of demonetization has caused severe and irreparable dent in the MSME sector, Cottage Industry and Tiny sector besides leaving crores of daily wage earners jobless. The Indian economy lost 1.5% in terms of GDP growth which translates into Rs. 2.25 lakhs crore per year plus the opportunity cost, which is incalculable and over 100 people lost their life standing in queues as a consequence of the monarchy attitude of Shri Narendra Modi.  One could easily perceive from the consequences of the demonetization that the entire exercise of demonetization is done to convert the ill- gotten Black money of the BJP and its close aides into White money. Hence, now after two years of suffering and tribulation, it is the time for the people of India and the Congress Party to ask the Prime Minister the following few questions, said the speakers.

1. Who are the real beneficiaries of this demonetization?

2. With over 99% of the demonetized currency back with the RBI, where is the Black Money?

3. Answer to those women who lost their lifelong savings done for their family because of hasty and illogical decision of yours?

4. Indian economy is in doldrums, NPAs continue to rise and why is RBI helpless?

5. Why the prices of Petrol and Diesel not come down despite the decrease in the international crude oil prices?

6. Indian Rupee is at an all time low in comparison to the US Dollar?

7. If the people of the country have been really benefitted from Demonetization, implementation of GST and by host of schemes such as Jan Dhan Yojna, Stand-Up India, Start –Up India, Make in India, Ujjwala , Mudra etc., then why even after spending crores of rupees from the government exchequer on advertisement of these Schemes, the BJP tally of 282 seats in the 16th Lok Sabha has reduced to 272 seats in subsequent By Poll elections held since 2014 ?

The Dharna concluded with slogans raised on failed Demonetization, hurried and unplanned implementation of GST, anti-poor, anti- farmer, anti-labour and pro – corporate policies of the Modi led NDA Government.