Protesting against the shortage of cash at banks and ATMs, the ruling BJD staged demonstrations in front of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Regional Office here in the capital and other nationalised banks across the State.
The BJD activists staged the protest for two hours, from 10 am to 12 noon in front of the RBI Regional Office and all nationalised banks in sub-divisions and blocks across the State shouting slogans against the Central Government.
However, the banks functioned as usual as the demonstrations were by and large peaceful except for a few stray incidents.
The protesters said that demonetisation has failed to achieve its basic objective of bringing back the black money stashed away abroad to the country. lack of proper planning before demonetisation has given rise to the situation in which farmers, students and poor are the worst sufferers.
“Currency notes of Rs 2000 denominations have vanished from the market for past few days, resulting in an “undeclared financial emergency” thrust upon the people. We protest it,” said BJD general Sanjay Dasburma.
Biju Chatra Janata Dal president Ranapratap Patra alleged that the BJP-led Central Government has destroyed the entire banking system of the country. “The unavailability of cash has led to a situation where ATMs are running dry and people o all walks of life are in a state of despair,” he said.