Where are figures for demonetisation, asks CM

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the Union Budget and demanded that restrictions on withdrawal of money should be lifted immediately.

She also criticised the Union Budget for not furnishing the figure for demonetisation.

Banerjee tweeted: "Tax payers still have restrictions on withdrawal. Remove all restrictions immediately. And where are the figures for demonetization?"

Banerjee's reaction came after the Union Finance minister Arun Jaitley remained quiet about the restrictions imposed on withdrawal of money since November 9. Also, he did not say anything on the amount the Centre received following demonetisation. Though the daily withdrawal has been increased to Rs 10,000, the weekly cap still remains at Rs 24,000 for Savings bank Account holders. Those who are admitted to private hospitals are the worst hit as most of them and nursing homes are only accepting cash at the time of admission of patients. Due to shortage of money, the ATMs are drying up fast and in most of them, only Rs 2,000 notes are available. People are finding it extremely difficult to change them. This is the picture almost three months after demonetisation of high value notes was announced on the night of November 8, 2016.

Reacting sharply after demonetisation was announced, Mamata Banerjee had said that it would affect the country's GDP very badly and people would be affected. What she had predicted on that day later came true. Today, the GDP of India has dropped and all economists including the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that demonetisation would affect Indian economy badly.

The people's ordeal reached its height in the past three months. Medium and small traders had been the worst hit. Thousands of people involved in construction and gems and jewellery industry lost their jobs. Even those working in 100-days work scheme could not withdraw money from the banks.

Mamata Banerjee had staged a dharna outside the office of RBI in Delhi demanding a statement from the Centre and RBI officials. However, the RBI officials could not say anything. She addressed gathering in Utter Pradesh, and Patna criticising demonetisation.

Because of her sustained campaign against Narendra Modi and his arbitrary policy of demonetization, all the political parties in Parliament joined hands and criticised the Centre. Finally, RBI governor admitted that he did not have any prior information about the announcement of demonetisation and could not tell when normalcy would be restored.

Interestingly, the Finance minister on Wednesday did not quote the figure which the Centre had received due to demonetisation. Because once the figure is quoted, then it would be clear that demonetisation had neither unearthed black money nor had it successfully prevented circulation of fake notes.

Meanwhile, Banerjee also expressed sadness over the way IUML leader and Lok Sabha member E. Ahamed's death was handled.

"Controversial budget became even more controversial," Banerjee tweeted. "Very sad to see the way Ahamedji and family were handled."

Banerjee condoled Ahamed's death -- he collapsed in Parliament on Tuesday -- and said he "served the nation and the people of Kerala".