Rs 15 lakh each as promised by Modi will come slowly: Union minister Ramdas Athawale

Union minister Ramdas Athawale has explained why Rs 15 lakh each, as promised by Narendra Modi before 2014 Lok Sabha polls, were never transferred into people’s bank accounts, saying it has been delayed due to some “technical issues” at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

In the run-up to 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Modi, then Gujarat Chief Minister, had promised to bring back black money kept abroad within 100 days if he became the prime minister. During the campaigns, Modi had promised that every poor person in the country will get Rs 15 lakh in his account if all the black money was brought back. Modi went on to become the PM as the BJP registered a landslide victory. However, there has been no such transfer of money happened till now.

The Opposition parties, including the Congress, have mocked Modi and his BJP-led NDA government for failing to fulfilling the promise.

Party chief Amit Shah later said it was a "jumla" or election gimmick, which was seen as a self-goal that laid the party open to further ridicule.

Athawale said the money will come into people’s accounts slowly, not in a single instalment. He also blamed the RBI for delaying the process.

“Rs 15 lakh will come slowly, not at a single time. We have asked for money from the RBI but they are not giving. So, the amount couldn’t be collected. There are some technical issues,” news agency ANI quoted Athawale as saying on Monday.

Ramdas also praised Modi for fulfilling most of the promises that he had made.

 “Narendra Modi is a very active Prime Minister. The Supreme Court has given a clean chit on Rafael's issue. All documents related to it have been submitted. Oppositions have no issue, they will all get wind out in three to four months. Narendra Modi will once again become the Prime Minister,” he said.