Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeals youth to help elder people in shifting to cashless transactions

After a huge increase of deposits in Jan Dhan accounts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned people not to trick the poor by depositing illegal money in their accounts. 

He further said that a strict 'benami' law would be implemented to deal with such transactions.

Moreover, he appealed to the people to shift to cashless system of transactions and asked the youth to help in this process by educating the elders and those not literate.

In his monthly radio programme 'Mann ki Baat', first after the demonetisation decision, Modi devoted substantial part of the 37-minute broadcast to the issue over which he is under opposition attack.

He also spoke about the Kashmir situation and particularly hailed the massive attendance of students in board exams recently.

Also Read: Deposits in Jan Dhan accounts rise to Rs 64,250 crore post demonetisation

Focussing on demonetisation, the Prime Minister said "even now, some people think they can bring their black money, the money earned through corruption or the one which is unaccounted for, back into the system through illegal means.

"Unfortunately, they are misusing the poor for this purpose by misleading, luring or tempting them by putting money into their accounts."

He said "a very stringent law to deal with 'benami' transactions is being implemented, that will make such things (transactions) very difficult. Government does not want the people to face such difficulties."

Also Read: PM at Parivartan Rally in Kushinagar: India has been looted for 70 years, now it's time to use that money for nation building

"I would tell such (unscrupulous) people that to reform or not reform is your wish. Following the law or not is your wish - that the law will take care of. But please don't play with the life of the poor. Don't do anything due to which, when there is an investigation, the name of the poor comes on record and he gets into trouble because of you."

However, wrong practices have become so entrenched that some people were still not mending their ways, he said, adding "these people are trying to find ways to again bring their ill-gotten wealth, black money, benami and unaccounted cash back in to the system. They are scouting for illegal ways to save their black money and unfortunately even in this pursuit they are looking to misuse the poor."

Also Read:  PM Narendra Modi criticises opposition for bandh call, urges people to use e-wallet

The Prime Minister congratulated the people for facing difficulties but supporting demonetisation to fight graft and black money.

Efforts are being made to mislead the people against demonetisation, but they were making sacrifices for a better India, he said while appealing to the youth, "the true soldiers", to lead the battle against corruption.

Modi said "our dream is for a cashless society. 

It is correct that we cannot achieve it immediately. But India can definitely move towards a less-cash society. 

Once we start the move towards a less-cash society, the goal of a cashless society will not be far away." 

FULL COVERAGE: BLACK MONEY CRACKDOWN