SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC) will organise various programmes in different parts of the State to “expose the truth behind demonitisation”.
The programmes, planned on the lines of the Indian Youth Congress’s ‘Chaurahe pe charcha’ launched on January 2, will focus on five questions.
MPYC chief Richard Marak said, “The Congress demands a white paper to expose the truth behind demonetisation. How much black money has been unearthed since November 8, 2016? What is the economic loss to the nation on account of demonetisation? How many jobs and livelihoods have been lost since this policy has been announced? How many lives have been lost due to demonetisation? Why has the government not paid any compensation to the families of the deceased?”
Questioning the Centre’s preparedness for the demonetisation move and the process of consultation for the same, Marak said, “Why were experts, economists or RBI officials not consulted before unleashing this draconian policy? Will the government place the names of all persons, institutions and entities that deposited Rs 25 lakh or more in bank accounts in the six months preceding the November 8 announcement?”
Among the demands of the Congress are ending restrictions on withdrawal with immediate effect, special interest rate of 18% per annum till the time of restrictions, abolition of all charges on digital transactions, 50% income tax and sales tax rebate to small shopkeepers and businesses, compensation for states’ revenue losses and doubling of the number of guaranteed work days and wage rate under MGNREGA for a year.
“The government should organise a special drive to identify and register all those who have lost their jobs since November 8, 2016, and provide them compensation at the applicable minimum wage rate for a period extending up to March 31, 2017,” said Marak.
The party has also demanded that Rs 25,000 be deposited in the account of at least one woman belonging to each BPL family as compensation for the suffering caused to women due to demonetisation.
The rate of rations distributed under the PDS system should be halved for a year under the provisions of the Food Security Act and a special one-time bonus of 20% should be provided over and above the MSP of all rabi crops are the other demands.
It may be mentioned that the Congress along with other opposition parties in the country have slammed the Centre’s demonetisation move calling it anti-people.
