Protest against demonetisation

SHILLONG: Expressing displeasure over the Centre’s demonetisation move, the CPI, Meghalaya State Council has urged the poorer section of the society to extend their support to All India Akrosh Day on Monday. The Meghalaya Joint council of Trade Unions & Associations (MJCTU&A) also slammed the execution of the government’s demonetisation move.
The MJCTU&A said that while it  endorses the fight against corruption and black money in public life and also the demonetization drive, it is concerned over the implementation of the same. “There is a big mismatch between the policy and the practice adopted, and this has resulted in enormous sufferings for the general people, particularly in rural areas,” the trade union body said.
Driven by only emotions, the present exercise appears to be an attempt to propagate the newly developed theory of neo-nationalism rather than striking at the basic problems of corruption and black money generation, it said.
According to MJCTU&A, more than 98% of the population of the country is made to suffer because of merely 2-3% corrupt people and this attitude betrays the concept of welfare state that has a democratically elected government.
The MJCTU&A, while expressing its unhappiness  over the ‘poorly thought out’ implementation of the demonetisation programme, demanded from the government appropriate relief measures for the general people.
The MJCTU&A will also submit a memorandum to the government in this regard while it urged the Reserve Bank of India to ensure proper circulation of currency by State Bank of India in the state to all the banks in an equitable manner so that all the branches of various banks and all the ATMs can provide expected service to people.
However, the trade union body thanked the bank and postal employees for their untiring and exemplary service provided since November 9 at the time of crisis even as it appreciated the patience and cooperation of people.
In a separate statement, CPI, Meghalaya State Council has urged the poorer section of the society to extend their support to All India Akrosh Day against the manner in which demonetisation took place.
The secretary, CPI Samudra Gupta said in a statement that the move of the government had put the daily wage earners and marginalized people in difficulty as instead of concentrating on their work, they are made to spend time in the banks and ATMs. Moreover, the retail business and people who depend on daily income are the worst sufferers, he observed.
The CPI wanted the government to allow use of scrapped Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes up to December 31 till the government makes proper arrangements to address the concerns of the people.