Withdrawal of Rs 500, Rs 1,000 notes can create problem for common man: Congress

NEW DELHI: Congress today said while it welcomed "any step" against black money, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes would put farmers, small businessmen and common people to inconvenience.

Terming the measure "insane", Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari took a dig at the Prime Minister describing him as the "modern day Tughlak" who had thrown a "nuclear trident at poor people of India".

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala wondered if the banking system in the country was ready to tackle such a situation and said the government has to answer many questions.

He also attacked the Prime Minister saying the entire mechanism has been evolved by him as only "a ploy to cover the failure of his promise" to get back black money stashed abroad and deposit 15 lakh into the account of every citizen.

"Congress has always supported any step against black money. But paddy has already been cut and wheat and Rabi crops being sown. The farmer is buying fertilisers, seeds and going to market today and needs a lot of money for the inputs he requires," Surjewala said.

"While Modi ji withdraws Rs 1,000 note, he introduces Rs 2,000 note on the other side? Does it not defeat his own argument?," he asked.

The Congress leader said, "Are you not putting cumbersome burden on them by putting a limit on how much money can be withdrawn?," adding, "what happens to those who are going to buy necessary articles for marriages including jewellery, clothes."

He also said, "Is the banking system in our country ready to tackle such a situation? Government has to answer many questions."

Tewari said the "Tughlaq spirit" has resurrected while referring to Mughal ruler Mohammed bin Tughlaq's move and wondered if the national capital will also be shifted from Delhi to Daulatabad.

"Modern day Tughlak has thrown a nuclear trident at poor people of India. 1000 Rupees of today is what 100 Rupees was 20 yrs back. Insanity!," he said on Twitter.

Tewari also tweeted, "LOL-MOHMAD Bin Tughlak scraps 500/1000 Rupees notesNext capital of India will be shifted from Delhi to Daultabad. Tughlak's spirit resurrects

"65 pc of India's population lives of agriculture that is non taxed-cash dependent. No universal banking coverage or credit card penetration."

Senior Congress leader Milind Deora tweeted, "Vital to eliminate black money. Just hope tonight's decision is thought through properly and not knee-jerk. Potential game changer either ways."