SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who is known for his astute views on various political issues, said the NDA Government’s demonetisation move was done in a hurry without weighing the impact it would have on citizens across the board.
Speaking to this correspondent from Tura, Sangma said, “Taking such a far-reaching decision should have been done expeditiously (with speed and efficiency). Instead, it was done hurriedly thereby leaving large sections of Indians high and dry. Doing things in a hurry has disastrous consequences. Doing them expeditiously means exercising due diligence to reduce the adverse impacts.”
When asked if he was aware that despite the Reserve Bank of India’s latest guideline that the upper limit for ATM withdrawal is Rs 4,500, most ATMs are unable to dispense the amount because they do not have Rs 500 notes, Sangma said demonetisation has also affected the banking system and enticed many bank officials to indulge in corruption by exchanging old notes at a percentage cut or giving out change of smaller notes also at a price.
“Prime Minister Modi may have acute political acumen but as far as demonetisation is concerned he has failed to anticipate the huge impact his arbitrary action would have on the country. In politics any decision, especially one as far-reaching as this one, should have been taken after exercising due diligence and after consultation with experts. They could have been sworn to secrecy. But the Prime Minister consulted very few people and they could not give him a clear picture of the full impact of demonetisation,” Sangma added.
When asked if demonetisation is not a strategic step to defang those with black money and also to hit at terror funding, Sangma said the move was well-intentioned but the manner in which it was executed has left the people of this country nonplussed and frustrated.
