Despite the cash crunch and other problems most of the students from different colleges of Dehradun this correspondent has talked to, have lent their full weight behind the move, saying that it is a part of a futuristic mission.
“True, it landed us in problems. I for one am running from one ATM to another to withdraw money to meet my daily expenses. But at heart, I can hardly grudge the trouble I am bearing. The move if allowed to succeed would prove monumental in freeing the country from the scourge of black money,” said a student of DAV College Ajay Singh.
Echoing the same optimism, Rajesh Semwal, student of SGRR (PG) College, termed the move revolutionary. “It would definitely strike fear in those inclined to hoard unaccounted money without paying the taxes due to the Government. Besides, those who have such money stashed are in grave difficulty as they can hardly deposit it in the banks, given the Centre’s determination to force them to cough up the tax as well as the penalty the law entails. I am sure it would prove a landmark for the future of the country in case the honest people who form the majority of the population are ready to bear with the teething problems,” he said.
However, in the same breath, they said that the people would have been spared much of the problems they have been facing if the Centre had gone for some detailed preparations before announcing the measure.
Semwal said that things were, however, coming to the normal slowly with the banks releasing notes in increasing amount for the people to withdraw. “In Dehradun, the queues seen during the initial days following November 8 announcement are now thinning. However, the problem still persists,” he added.
Uttarkashi resident Shubham who is preparing for SSC examinations while living in a rented residence at Nehru Colony in Dehradun said that he had queued to withdraw money from an ATM on Sunday to pay rent. “It took around an hour. But I cannot help supporting the Centre’s move. It would transform the system rotting for years thanks to the nexus between the corrupt and the politicians. It is inspiring for the younger generation which is yet to get enmeshed in the vicious net of black economy,” he said.
However, he added that some provisions should be made for the senior citizens to withdraw money without having to queue up in snaking lines.
Urmila, student of MKP (PG) College, sounded happy too, saying that the currency recall move would deal a deadly blow to those who were funding terror through counterfeits from across the borders. “I am facing the aftermath of the announcement sportingly, thinking that it augurs well for our future as well as the future of the country,” she said.
However, Amit Mehra, BA Part III student of DBS (pg) College, criticized Modi Government’s move, saying that it had spelt disaster for the country’s economy. “There is chaos everywhere. The wage earners are jobless. The farmers are deep in trouble. Construction works have come to a standstill. The Supreme Court is right when it said that the continuing chaos might lead to riots,” he said.