SHIILLONG: The Centre’s “sudden” decision on currency denominations, which it termed a surgical strike on black money, drew flak from several quarters on Tuesday.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma criticised the Centre’s decision to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes by calling it an “insensitive” move.
Reacting to it shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement, Sangma said, “What we do and how we do things are very important. It may be for the larger good, but the way they are doing things shows their bankruptcy of ideas in implementing this decision.”
On the adverse impact of the decision on people living in remote areas, the chief minister said, “In this country of 1.25 billion people, how many are glued to the television set, social media or the internet? How will they know their Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes are invalid? What will happen to patients in other towns or students who are travelling? Not everyone uses plastic money.”
Sangma said the Centre could have implemented this decision without harassing people.
No logic in decision: UDP
The UDP also reacted similarly to the Centre’s decision that it found was “illogical”. In a statement issued here on Tuesday, UDP working president Bindo Lanong said, “There is no logic in the Prime Minister’s decision. The government is unable to take on the criminals who have black money and instead it is targeting villagers and the poor, who have to face the problems arising out of the sudden decision.”
He further said, “The government has failed to strategise the right approach to punish the criminals with black money. Now, why should the poor suffer for this?”
Meanwhile, the chief minister also predicted possible law and order problems if shopkeepers refuse to accept the invalid notes from those who either do not know about the decision or who do not have access to other denominations.
