Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Jan 7: The district Congress on Saturday January 7 staged a strong protest near DC office here against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the demonetisation of high value currencies.

Addressing the protesters, AICC observer Dr Vishu Prasad said, "This campaign has been initiated by Congress national vice-president Rahul Gandhi and it is evident that we will win against this. Just as doctors in Mangaluru are protesting against Uttar Kannada MP Ananthkumar Hegde for his assault on doctors in Sirsi, we are against Prime Minister Modi for his assault on the common man.

"Common man has suffered due to Modi's sudden decision. Modi should answer why still the high-profile industrialists have not been arrested yet for holding tons of black money. Today Modi has cheated the common man very badly and people should give him a fitting reply in a democratic manner," he said.

"Demonetisation has claimed 100 lives till date and people have been made to stand in long queues. People cannot withdraw more than Rs 2000 and new notes have not been issued in a proper manner. People will heavily retaliate against BJP during the forthcoming elections. This move needs to be revoked immediately and surgical strike has to be done on those who hid tons of money. It is harsh on people to make them to stand in long queues to obtain their own hard-earned money," he added.

District in-charge minister Ramanath Rai said, "The country's economic condition has turned critical after the sudden decision of demonetising high value currencies. Modi should reveal the list of black money holders and the money collected so far.

"Modi has disillusioned people with fake promises, as prior to the elections he had promised to bring back the money which is stashed abroad and credit Rs 15 lac to every individual's account, but this has remained a distant dream. Note ban has had severe impact on the farmers and daily wage labourers, and also claimed 100 lives till date," he said.

Minister for food and civil supplies U T Khader said, "Demonetisation has forced the poor to stand in long queues, but people will destabilize Modi's government in the forthcoming elections. This is nothing but a historic error and legalized loot. Demonetisation has claimed 100 lives so far but Prime Minister Modi has no concern towards the people and no compensation has been given to the kin of the deceased."

MLA J R Lobo said, "Demonetisaton has pushed economic condition to a critical stage and GDP rate is also going downwards. It has been 55 days since the announcement was made but still the situation has not come to normalcy. It has been a nightmare for the people to obtain their own hard-earned money."

Interim Congress president Ibrahim Kodijal, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, MUDA chairman Suresh Ballal, MLA and former minister Abhayachandra Jain and others were present.

Udupi: Congress protests against demonetisation, demands probe into PM's corruption charges

Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jan 7: Udupi district Congress committee members staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office, Rajathadri Manipal against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on demonetisation and corruption charges here on Saturday, January 7.

Addressing the protestors, district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj said, "The ban on high-value currencies forced common man to suffer a lot. Even President Pranab Muhkerjee said that demonetisation rule should not hurt anyone and should protect common people’s interest".

"Delhi Chief Minister Arwind Kejriwal has alleged that Naredra Modi was paid Rs 25 crore as bribe by Aditya Birla Group while he was serving as the chief minister of Gujarat in 2012. The concerned department should probe into the matter as the allegations against the PM are serious. Aditya Birla Group has not denied that Modi had not received bribe from them," said Madhwaraj.

"Modi had asked citizens of the nation to give him 50 days to change the economic system of India. He said that he would set all the problems right. But, there is no such development. The NDA government is only changing the name of the schemes and amount which were initiated and implemented during the UPA-led government. People had a lot of expectations from the NDA-led government, but it has failed miserably. Development of the nation is only possible through Congress party," he added.

Madhwaraj further said that the Union government has to compensate people for the losses suffered due to demonetisation.

M A Gafoor, chairman, KSMC said, "Small industries are shutting down with huge losses and coolie workers, fishermen are sitting without work. While seeing the present phenomenon, it seems like we have walked into the past by ten years. It is all due to the demonetisation policy. This rule hits co-operative sector badly. Demonetisation has left thousands of people empty-handed".

Gopal Poojary, MLA, Byndoor said, "PM Modi has created a temporary emergency situation in the nation. He has spoiled the whole economic system. Farmers are struggling to purchase seeds. Modi is dominating middle-class people and poor people are in deep trouble".

The party committee demanded for an independent and fair enquiry into allegations of corruption against PM Modi. They also said that all restrictions on the withdrawal of money shouold be lifted with immediate effect.

The party further demanded that Rs 25,000 should be deposited in the bank account of at least one woman belonging to each below poverty line (BPL) family as compensation for the immense suffering caused demonetisation. Income tax and sales tax rebate of 50 per cent should be given to small shopkeepers and business for one year and many other demands were put forward by the protesters.

Gopal Bhandary, former MLA, Karkala; Veronica Carnelio, president, Mahila Congress; Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje, president, CMC; Sandhya Thilakraj, vice president CMC and others were present.