Not allowed to speak in Lok Sabha, so I'm speaking in public, says PM Modi on cash ban

GANDHINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that since the opposition is not allowing him to speak in Lok Sabha, he has opted to speak to the nation through Jan Sabha (public meetings) instead.

Modi was in Deesa, in North Gujarat to inaugurate a cheese plant on Saturday. While addressing the milk producers and farmers, Modi said that the decision to demonetise Rs 1000 and Rs 500 currency notes were made to empower the poor people of the country.

“Tell me if there was any value of Rs 100 or Rs 50 notes before November 8?” Modi asked adding that the value of smaller currency notes have gone up post the demonetisation of the high value notes. Modi further said that while he is standing with the honest citizens of the country, the people of the country are being provoked against the decision.

Launching an attack on the opposition for stalling the parliament, Modi said that while the government has made it clear that the Prime Minister will speak in the parliament on the issue of demonetisation, the opposition is running away from debate. Pointing out recent remarks of the President on functioning of the parliament, Modi said that while the opposition is not allowing him to speak in Lok Sabha, he has opted for Jan Sabha to speak to the nation instead.

He further said that he had pointed out in the first day itself that the decision is a tough one adding that the situation will improve steadily post fifty day’s deadline.

Pointing out that people are being raided and arrested for illicit cash transactions, Modi said that while people thought that things can be managed post demonetisation through backdoor, they did not know there were cameras installed in the backdoors as well adding that no one involved in corrupt practices will be spared.

Claiming that the honest people are not standing in queue for themselves but for the country, he also appealed to media and opposition to educate people on e-banking.

Modi is scheduled to meet the party legislators and portfolio holders in BJP headquarters in Gandhinagar later.