Demonetisation by Modi government is right, but its implementation has been faulty: Former Union minister Shivraj Patil

Congress leader and former Union minister Shivraj Patil on Tuesday said that demonetisation of high-value currency notes is “right” but people are facing hardships as the government failed to make proper arrangements to ensure availability of cash.

“Demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes is right (decision) by the Modi government.

“However, the government has failed to make proper arrangements, leading to disappointment among people who have to stand in queues, whereas crores of rupees in Rs 2000 denomination notes are being recovered (from black marketeers),” the former Union home minister said.

“It is wrong to say all black money will be deposited with the government after demonetisation, as many people in possession of such money have either kept it abroad or invested it in other avenues,” Patil told mediapersons after visiting the shrine of Saibaba in Shirdi.

He said farmers are being affected due to note ban as they are left with no cash to purchase seeds, resulting in the low remunerative price of their agricultural produce.

On the allegation of “personal corruption” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Patil talked about the “Jain diary entries”, a reference to Hawala case.

“After his name figured in the case, (BJP leader) L K Advani immediately came to me and tendered his resignation and told me that until he is acquitted by court, he will not climb the steps of Parliament.

“Names of members of the ruling party as well as opposition were there in the Jain diary. (However) after the enquiry all were acquitted,” he said, adding “I won’t make any comments on Sahara diary and who should resign or not.”

He alleged that media is writing in favour of Modi out of fear and claimed, “Earlier, they used to write against Modi.”

Listing various achievements of the previous Congress governments he said, “We failed to reach out to the masses to inform them about the development works done by us.”

“Parties have been criticising Congress leaders ranging from Jawaharlal Nehru to Rahul Gandhi for a long time... If Rahul gets an opportunity after some days, he will run country’s affairs... he will bring unity... his role will be known later,” Patil said.