With a view to disapprove Prime Minister’s demonetisation decision, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday observed ‘Black Day’ along with his supporters at diamond and textile hub of India — Surat where he termed the decision as thoughtless act which destroyed livelihoods of millions.
The scion of Gandhi-Nehru family arrived at Surat in the morning and went to industrial area and met the people associated with textile and diamond industries. Criticising demonetisation and rollout of GST as direct attacks on Indian economy, he said that his party stood with the people who suffered due to the wrong decisions of BJP led NDA government.
“Demonetisation was tragedy. Roll out of GST too hasty with higher tax slab. Both these moves have broken the legs of flourishing businesses of Surat. Not only in Gujarat but the twin blow finished the industry across the nation. People who are complaining are being threaten,’’ claimed the Congress vice-president, adding that he was not doing politics as the issue is related to the nation and above Congress or BJP.
Strategically Gandhi choose South Gujarat’s commercial capital Surat in the poll bound state where apart from large business community, huge population of agitating Patidars migrated from Saurashtra region residing. He tried to strike a chord with the people associated with the textile and diamond industries saying that Surat has been competing with China as far as providing jobs, but demonetisation and GST have been proven double whammy not only for Surat but also for common people across India. Interacting with textile traders he said that in 21st century India was directly competing with China and SMEs of Surat had capability to compete with the neighbouring country provided they would be given level playing field. He went on to say that youngsters would show their anger if they wouldn’t be provided jobs.
later in the day Rahul participated in a candle march in the city in protest of demonetisation and GST to mark the first anniversary of Modi government’s decision to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes. On the evening of November 8, 2016 Prime Minister announced that from the next day onwards the high value currency notes wouldn’t remain legal tender and asked the people to change these notes with the newer ones. He also met females engaged in embroidery work.
Congress party had repeatedly requested PM Modi and finance Minister Arun Jaitley to keep single tax in form of GST with 8 per cent upper limit in GST, claimed the Congress leader adding that but they neither listen the opposition party nor the trading community and implemented GST with higher slab as high as 28 per cent coupled with five different tax layers and lots of paper work.
On his visit to Surat Rahul was in completely different mood as instead of having lavish snacks he preferred traditional Gujarati delicacies – Khaman Dhokla and Fafada along with cutting tea at a roadside eatery. At a diamond polishing unit, he set with a female worker and tried his hand to polish a ruff diamond too. He talked to women workers on what kind of difficulties they are facing and gave assurance to solve their problems.