Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Jan 2: Dakshina Kannada in-charge and forest and ecology minister Ramanath Rai on Tuesday January 2 demanded compensation for the families of the people who lost their lives due to various reasons as a result of demonetisation.

Addressing a press meet at the new district Congress office here, Rai said, "Demonetisation has proved to be a publicity gimmick, given the various adverse effects it has had. One must note that instead of finding black money, the union government has let people convert black money into white through demonetisation. Prime Minister Modi must realise that people can be fooled a few times but not every time.

"Today all must ask the union government and the Prime Minister about the amount of black money that has been unearthed after demonetisation. The Prime Minister must also reveal what were the precautionary measures taken and whether the move was discussed with economists. If Indira Gandhi was the one to open the doors of the banks to the poor through nationalisation, it is Modi who brought the common man in queues," he said.

"Due to demonetisation so many people have lost their lives. The union government must provide compensation to all. It must also give 18% interest on the deposits post demonetisation and give compensation to farmers and daily wage workers who have been deprived of their daily bread since November 8. The government should also waive off all the taxes on online and digital transactions. It should also give a share of the profits to the state governments which have lost a major part of their income due to demonetisation," he urged.

"The union government is publicity-crazy. The Rs 15 lac of black money they promised before the elections has turned out to be an election gimmick," he added.

Commenting on the controversial 'fire' statement by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel during a protest rally in Konaje, the minister said that a responsible people's representative should not make such statements when the administration is trying to maintain harmony in the society. "It is a politically motivated statement to divert people's attention. I have already spoken to the state home minister in this regard and necessary action will be taken as per the law. Such statements in the police station premises pose a challenge to the administration and the police department.

"Even we are pained by Karthik Raj's death and the murderers must be caught. We are also pained by Vinayak Baliga's and Harish Poojary's murder, especially as their families are not well to do. When I went to Harish Poojary's funeral people pointed fingers at me saying the 'murderers have come'. But the actual murderer who attended the funeral was caught later on. We must also condemn the people who bail these murderers out and the lawyers who appeal for them. It is the same lawyer in all the cases who counsels for these murderers and all of us know who he is," Rai said, without naming the lawyer.

"We must condemn communalism from both sides and the government has taken various steps like invoking Goonda Act against communal offenders. We will request the home minister to hand over the enquiry into Karthik's murder to COD as the police have not been able to nab the culprits," he said.

ZP member Mamatha Gatty said that the MLA of Mangaluru constituency (Ullal), food and civil supplies minister U T Khader along with various Congress leaders including her had visited Karthik Raj's house three days prior to the January 1 protest and had asked their permission for the COD investigation. "When such is the case, MP Nalin has tried to gain political mileage of the situation by making Karthik's family a part of the protest," she alleged.