February 6, 2017
Country facing financial emergency due to demonetisation: Kalyan Banerjee in LS
Chief Whip of Trinamool Congress in Lok Sabha, Kalyan Banerjee today cornered the government on the issue of demonetisation. During a discussion on the Motion of Thanks on President’s Address, he said the country is facing financial emergency due to demonetisation.
Kalyan Banerjee said that restrictions on withdrawing money violate Article 300 (A) of Constitution of India. Maintaining that Trinamool is not against curbing black money, Kalyan Banerjee demanded to know how much black money has been recovered after demonetisation and how much was brought back from abroad.
“Unemployment increased to 7% in the week following demonetisation and 25 crore daily wage workers lost their employment. 150 people have lost their lives. Cooperative banks were not allowed to exchange demonetised notes. The poorest of the poor take loans from cooperative banks not nationalised banks. Farmers do not have money to buy seeds and fertilizers. They are unable to sell their products. There has been 8% reduction in sales of two wheelers, 18.66% reduction in sales of four-wheelers,” he said.
On the issue of women empowerment, Kalyan Banerjee said that while the Centre allocated only Rs 200 crore for the entire country under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, Bengal government, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, allocated Rs 1000 crore for Kanyashree. He also urged the government to bring the Women’s Reservation Bill.
Kalyan Banerjee slammed the govt on the issue of federalism. He asked under what provisions of law was the Centre bypassing the States. He accused the present Prime Minister of India of acting as an autocrat and taking away powers of the States. He also wanted to know how much money is being spent by the government for publicity.
Calling ‘Digital India’ only a slogan, Kalyan Banerjee said most areas do not have proper mobile networks. He said the minister must prepare the infrastructure before coining slogans. He reminded the government that only slogan-baazi will not solve problems.
The MP also said that year after year tall promises are made in the President’s speech but they are not met.
