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

Mangaluru, Jan 10: On behalf of Dakshina Kannada district unit of women's Congress, a protest was organized opposite district deputy commissioner's office here on Monday January 9, against the demonetisation exercise of the central government.

Adressing the protesters, Puttur MLA, Shakuntala Shetty, came down on Prime Minister(PM), Narendra Modi. She criticized the PM for promising the Indians of unearthing black money in 50 days, and then pushing the economic condition of the country to the brink of disaster. She lamented the fact that people who have deposited their hard earned money in banks and cooperative institutions, have not been able to withdraw their money as and when they needed money. "Because of this situation, areca nut growers have not been able to dispose off their produce at one go. Chaotic financial management of the central government is responsible for this pathetic scenario," she stated.

On this occasion, women's Congress members held high their empty food plates and registered their anger by banging them with sticks. They also raised slogans against the PM.

District women's Congress president, Shalet Pinto, zilla panchayat member, Mamata Gatti, Mariamma Thomas, Namita D Rao, MLA, Mohiuddin Bava, ad hoc president of district Congress unit, Kodijal Ibrahim, and others were present.

Udupi

Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jan 10: The members of District Mahila Congress committee, Udupi staged a protest in front of the deputy commissioner's office Rajathadri Manipal on Monday against the BJP-led government at the Centre for imposing demonetisation.

They protested with plates, ladle and vegetables to drive home their point.

Addressing the protestors, district Mahila Congress president Veronica Cornelio said, "The poor are in dire straits due to demonetisation. They are undergoing severe financial problems. Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the nation to give him 50 days to set the economic situation right. It is more than 50 days and the problem still persists."

Veronica further said that the party committee has demanded the release of white paper on demonetisation. "PM Modi should answer five questions. How much black money has been collected after November 8? What is the loss incurred by the Indian economy? How many people have died after November 8 and are they paid any compensation? What actions were taken before implementing the demonetisation policy? And who were the experts the PM consulted before demonetising high-value currency notes?

"PM Modi has introduced many laws and bills, but only few corruption and illegal property scams have come to light. Did he take any action on those who have deposited more than Rs 25 lac in their accounts?" questioned Veronica.

"All restrictions on withdrawal of money should be lifted with immediate effect. All charges on digital transactions should be abolished forthwith," she demanded.

The protestors demanded that the rate of ration distributed under the PDS system should be halved for a period of one year under the provisions of Food security Act and the number of guaranteed work days and the wage rate under MGNREGA should be doubled for a period of one year. Income tax and sales tax rebate of 50 per cent should be given to small shopkeepers and business for one year, they added.

Another member Jyothi Hebbar speaking at the protest said, "The statement on demonetisation given by PM Modi was very confusing. The nation's choice of Modi as PM is a bad one. Modi becoming the prime minister is the biggest tragedy this democratic country has ever seen.

"Everyone was expecting 'Achche Din' from the government, but there are new changes in the Indian economic system. The BJP is playing with people's emotions. Congress came to power in the state due to its achievements. Modi is navigating the nation like a dictator. More than Rs 841 crore cash was found in his home town. But PM Modi has not initiated any action so far," added Hebbar.

Chandrika Shetty, president, block Congress committee; Satish Amin Padukere, president, block Congress Udupi; M A Gafoor, chairman, Minorities Development Corporation; Narasimha Murthy, president, Urban Development Authority; Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje, president, CMC and others were present.