People of the rugged Bundelkhand region, who have seen the rich and the powerful minting money through illegal mining, have given a thumbs up to Modi government’s decision to demonetize high value notes saying that it has brought the poor and the rich at par.
Director of Akhil Bharatiya Samaj Sewa Sansthan (ABSSS) (an NGO working in Chitrakoot) Bhagwat Prasad, said that the Bundelkhand people are happy with the decision as they have seen how `outsiders’ have plundered the area in the name of mining and earned riches.
“Go to any market and the common refrain is about how money stashed in sacks has been reduced to trash following Modi’s decision to demonetise high value notes. People are happy to see their tormentors suffering,” he said.
Raja Bhaiya of Vidyadham Samiti in Banda, echoed the same sentiments saying the chasm between rich and poor in Bundelkhand is very wide. “The local people feel that the decision has brought the rich and the poor on one platform,” he opined.
“People admit they are feeling the pinch. Majority of them are daily wage earners but their spirit is high. They say they will face the crisis for the next 7-10 days but those who have plundered Bundelkhand should be punished,” Raja Bhaiya said.
Soon after demonetisation was announced, private money lenders lured poor farmers and exchanged Rs 500 for Rs 300. When one of the lenders went to deposit the money in bank, he was unable to reveal the source of income and got a notice. This incident has become the talk of the town," he said.
"Despite this euphoria people are facing problems in getting fertilisers and seeds. The pinch is not that severe now. There is no doubt that this year the region had an agricultural bounty. When I am talking to you over 70 per cent crop is still to be harvested. The farmers have time to go for the next crop. The 10 days’ time is a good cushion period for them," said Bhagwat Prasad.
"However, it is a trying time for daily wagers. With contractors feeling the cash crunch, construction has come to a halt in adjoining areas. The poor who were laboured daily for two square meals are a harried lot now," he said
The situation is different in villages near lucknow. The farmers are here readying to sow seeds but have no money. Mahadev, Pradhan of village Nagar Taluqudari near lucknow said, "We are short of fertilizers. There is no bank in our village. We have to go to the adjoining village for cash. Some of us don't have accounts in bank."
Sachin of Malihabad area said that the rich and hoarders are looking for avenues to adjust their money but the poor, the farmer and the students are facing the brunt. "The government should come up with a concrete solution to solve this crippling problem," he said.