New Delhi: ANHAD, a non-governmental organisation run by the social activist Shabnam Hashmi, and 32 other organisations released a report on the anniversary of demonetisation, named ‘Demonetisation: Exorcising the “Demon”’.
Noted social activist PVS Kumar, well-known scientist Gauhar Raza, Dr. Subudh Mohanty, Dr. John Dayal, Shabnam Hashmi and others addressed a joint press conference and presented the extract of the report before media. The report was dedicated to the victims of demonetisation.
Exactly a year ago, on the evening of 8 November 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in a surprise broadcast that beginning midnight, currency notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denominations were to be pulled from circulation, and would be rendered invalid for any transactions.
The news created flutters in the entire country. The move claimed 100 lives. The survey was conducted of 3,647 respondents across 21 states and union territories in the country, on the public perceptions of demonetisation, and its aftermath. 50 pc of the respondents rejected the claims that demonetisation could check black money. 48 pc didn’t believe that demonetisation could curb terrorism. 36 pc accepted that demonetisation benefited corporate houses while 26 pc accepted that the government benefited from the move. 83 pc felt that people of lower strata faced a lot of difficulties during the process.
Addressing the press conference Gauhar Raza said PM’s decision was undemocratic and despotic, and it indicates fascism. PM himself had told that he didn’t even consulted his ministers or RBI in this connection. It was his own decision.