Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Shivraj Patil on Wednesday said demonetisation of high-value currencies has caused hardships to people and weakened the country’s economy.
“The Government has failed to make proper arrangements to ensure availability of cash even after 70 days of demonetization move. People in rural areas are still facing hardships. The demonetisation has paralysed India’s economy, leading to massive loss of jobs and closure of businesses on a daily basis,” said Patil at a Press conference here.
The former Union Home Minister informed that the Congress staged protests at RBI branch offices in all States on Wednesday against the Centre’s decision to continue restricting weekly cash withdrawals at Rs 24,000.
“The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has become the Modi Government’s captive puppet. Its autonomy has been compromised,” alleged Patil.
He further alleged that while people are still standing in queues before ATMs, crores of rupees in Rs 2,000 denomination notes are being recovered from black marketers.
Among others, leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly Narasingha Mishra, PCC Chief Prasad Harichandan and were present Press conference.
Earlier, Patil had addressed the Congress leaders and workers in front of the RBI. The party activists had come in a procession from Congress Bhawan to the RBI office. later, a delegation led by Patil and Harichandan Submitted a memorandum to the RBI Governor.
Sources said the party would hold more demonstation country-wide between January 20 and 30 against demonetisation.