By Online Desk
There was a video that went viral soon after demonetisation. A BJP MLA from Rajasthan was taped in an “off-the-record” conversation saying the Adanis and Ambanis, who are seen as being close to the ruling dispensation at the Centre, knew about the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes before it was implemented.
Bhawani Singh Rajawat, then BJP MLA from Rajasthan’s Kota, says in the video, “Adani, Ambani and others knew about it (demonetisation) beforehand. They were given a hint and they had made arrangements accordingly. You (government) should have printed the new currency as per requirement.”
#WATCH: BJP MLA from Rajasthan’s Kota Bhawani Singh claims Ambani & Adani had prior knowledge of the #DeMonetisation of Rs 500 & 1,000 notes pic.twitter.com/L8FRp1NofD
— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2016
He went on to add that the currency ban was an unplanned one and stated that it could have been implemented in a step-by-step process.
Bhawani Singh has been involved in many controversies in the past. In one instance, he demanded that Bihari students in Kota coaching centres undergo criminal background checks. In another, he had advised bikers to avoid wearing helmets as it leads to baldness.
On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on national television his government’s decision to ban all currency notes of higher denomination of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 from midnight on the same day.
On the fifth anniversary of demonetisation, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday termed it a “disaster” and asked if the step has been successful, why hasn’t corruption ended and black money returned to the country.
“If ‘notebandi (demonetisation) was successful, why hasn’t corruption ended? Why hasn’t black money come back? Why hasn’t the economy gone cashless? Why hasn’t terrorism been hit? Why hasn’t price rise been reined in?” Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi, using the hashtag ‘DemonetisationDisaster’.
The Congress has been alleging that demonetisation was not in the interest of people and had adverse effects on the economy, a charge the Modi government has dismissed repeatedly.
The Left parties hit out at the government over the state of the economy and blamed the Centre’s demonetisation policy for it.
Questioning the move, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury alleged that it “decimated the informal sector”.
“Economy into a tailspin, the poorest hurt. Informal sector decimated. No black money recovered, but rich got richer. Cash in the economy is the highest ever now! This govt must bear responsibility for pushing India downhill, just for one man’s whim,” he said in a tweet.
CPI MP Binoy Viswam too criticised the government over demonetisation.
“Currency in circulation: 2016 Nov.17.97 lakh cr.20 21 Oct.28.30 lakh cr. 57% increase in 5 years! Black money in the country:300 lakh cr. Demonetisation was a total disaster. PM Modi should tender appologies to the nation. Modinomics was ‘much ado about nothing’!”, he said in a tweet.
(With Inputs From PTI)