Archives for November 2016

New Delhi: Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Opposition parties today alleged selective leak of information on demonetisation of 500 and 1000 rupee notes to ‘friends of BJP’ and demanded making public the names of those who had bought gold and foreign exchange of over Rs one crore since April.

Initiating a debate after listed business was suspended to take up a discussion on the November 8 decision to withdraw old higher denomination currency, Anand Sharma (Cong) used wit and humour to attack Modi for being insensitive to problems caused to the common man.

He asked the Prime Minister to state where he got Rs 23,000-24,000 crore, estimated by the International Money Watch Group, for his Lok Sabha elections.

He also asked if cheque or credit card payments were made to organise his rally in Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh a few days ago.

Alleging that the information on demonetisation was selectively leaked, he said, “your BJP units have deposited crores (just before the November 8 decision).”

As the debate was in progress, BSP chief Mayawati demanded the presence of the Prime Minister in the House to hear out the Opposition parties and address their concerns. Supporting her, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said since Lok Sabha has adjourned for the day, Modi should hear out at least the major parties.

Quoting media reports, Sharma said State Bank of India – the country’s largest lender – knew of the decision way back in March and a Gujarati newspaper had in April published a report of move to withdraw 500 and 1000 rupee notes.

He demanded a probe into “how many people bought more than Rs 1 crore of foreign currency and bullion” since April. “This is a serious issue… you never kept secrecy (about the decision),” Sharma said.

The “ill-timed” and “ill-conceived” move had unleashed “economic anarchy” in the country and benefited a few, he said, adding that to fight blackmoney created by higher denomination currency, a bigger Rs 2000 note has been brought which is similar to the paper on which ‘churan’ is sold and “shed colour” was brought.

“Your government is insensitive,” he said adding Modi was riding a bullet train in Japan when old, women and common man were queueing up at banks at 3 am in the morning to get currency to buy their daily needs.

Sharma said Modi had in his Goa speech had stated that those standing in line at banks were those involved in 2G spectrum and coal scam as well as holding blackmoney.

“I condemn the Prime Minister for calling the poor standing in queue for his Rs 4000-4,500, blackmoney holders and scamster,” he said.

Referring to Modi’s statement in Goa last week that certain forces were out to eliminate him, the Congress leader asked him to name the conspirators wanting to eliminate Prime Minister of India. Congress will not tolerate anyone planning to harm the Prime Minister of the country, he said.

Taking a dig at the Modi, he said someone who “changes clothes five times a day”, has become Prime Minister and travels around the globe was “calling himself a sanyasi and tapasvi”.

Sharma demanded that the names of persons holding accounts in Swiss bank and those revealed in the Leichtenstein and HSBC lists should be made public. The names of bank loan defaulters above Rs 5000 crore should also be made public.

While the decision had put the common man to immense hardship by way of having to stand in long queues to lay hands on valid currency to meet daily needs, the information about demonetisation was selectively leaked to the “friends of BJP,” Sharma alleged.

The move had branded 86 per cent of the currency in circulation blackmoney and “everyone a criminal,” he said adding when Modi announced the plan it was expected that adequate arrangements would be made for dispensing new notes.

So banks and ATMs were shut on November 9 but the expectation of normalcy from next day were dashed with queues only getting longer by the day.

The government policy was to “benefit those who are your friends and hurt those who question you,” he said adding an atmosphere has been created in the country where questions cannot be asked and those doing so branded anti-nationals.

“The magnanimous Prime Minister allowed Rs 4000 of old currency to be changed… what right does the Constitution give the government to place restrictions on withdrawal of ones hard-earned money,” he asked, adding one has to “beg to be allowed to withdraw his own money.”

He said former RBI Governor IG Patel had written about the government’s decision to demonetise currency in 1978 and it would be absurd to think that all ill-gotten money is kept in cash and not invested in real estate, billion, equities or foreign exchange.

Modi, Sharma said, had reasoned that withdrawal of the higher denomination currency to fight against blackmoney, terrorist funding and counterfeit currency.

Congress is unequivocally opposed to blackmoney and opposes any force that print counterfeit currency.

Sharma said the government in one stroke took away 86.4 per cent of the over Rs 16 lakh crore currency in circulation. “Did the government think that 86 per cent of the currency in circulation was counterfeit or blackmoney,” he asked.

(Agencies)

Bengaluru: Rolling out red carpet to women entrepreneurs, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday expressed confidence that with several initiatives taken, the state would soon occupy the top slot for women entrepreneurship.

He urged women entrepreneurs to explore entrepreneurial opportunities in Karnataka and make the state their base.

“I am happy to note that Karnataka’s diversity ratio in employment and entrepreneurship is amongst the best in India. Our eco-system is regarded as the benchmark for women to live and work and I am happy that we are in the right direction,” Siddaramaiah said at the event “Think Big 2016”.

He said that according to the fourth Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSME) census, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have 51.9 per cent of the country’s women-owned business indicating the potential that exists in our State and country.

“I am sure with the initiatives taken up, Karnataka would soon be in the top slot…,” he said.

“Think Big 2016”, which is projected to be Asia’s largest women entrepreneurship and economic empowerment summit, is being organised by Karnataka government, together with WEConnect International in India and Thinkthrough Consulting (TTC).

According to the organisers, the event is aimed at bringing together more than 2,000 women entrepreneurs, 300 Industry leaders and 400 businesses and 35 top banks to connect women entrepreneurs across the globe with the “thriving” business ecosystem in Karnataka.

Speaking on special attention being given to women entrepreneurs to encourage enterprise creation and industrial capacity building, he said, there has been unprecedented response from them.

“Initially we thought of developing one Women’s Park at Harohally near Bangalore. But, surprisingly there was a great response from all over the State to set up parks for women.

Going by the enthusiasm generated amongst women entrepreneurs, I am sure we would have Women’s Park all over the State soon,” he added.

(Agencies)

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a ban on burqas and other face veils in public places due to security threat to the capital, saying it is not a public interest matter.

A bench of chief justice G. Rohini and justice Sangeeta Dhingra Sehgal dismissed the plea saying, “If it is a policy decision, the government will take care of it. How can we entertain it (PIL) under Article 226 (power of high courts to issue certain writs)?” the bench said.

“We cannot interfere in this writ petition. The same is dismissed. It is not an issue which deserves consideration by this court under the Article. It is not a matter of public interest,” it observed.

The plea sought a ban on wearing face veils including burqas, helmets, hoods, among others at public places like transport, government buildings and heritage sites in the capital on the ground of threat from terror activities.

The plea, filed by Sardar Ravi Ranjan Singh, alleged “the use of face coverings and wearing of full body cover like the burqa is a serious security issue and citizens are put to constant risk and fear in the capital which is in violation of Article 21(protection of life and personal liberty) of the Constitution of India.” It said, “There is a rapid growth in terrorist activities and that the perpetrators of these criminal acts show no respect to burqa and ruthlessly use it as an instrument to carry out ‘fidayeen’ attacks.”

The petitioner also referred to the recent attacks in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir and said public safety and the government offices in the capital are at constant risk. “Face veils, burqas can be used to prevent identification at border check-posts, etc. Further, criminals and extremists can use burqas to skip checking at police posts and barricades,” the PIL, which made centre, Delhi government and National Security Council as parties, said.

(Agencies)