State govt sets up team to assess effects of demonetisation

State government has set up a team comprising officials up to the rank of additional chief secretary to assess the financial loss and the effect on different sectors in the state due to the Centre’s “hasty decision” to demonetise the notes.

Sources in Nabanna said that the team is headed by the Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee. Additional Chief Secretaries of different departments and some officials of Principal Secretary level are in the team to assess the quantum of loss.

A control room has also been opened in Nabanna where people may contact to convey their message if they are facing any trouble due to the demonetisation of notes. Steps would be taken accordingly to provide assistance to the caller.

The helpline number of the control room in Nabanna is 033-22141938. Control rooms have also been set up in each district and reports from the offices of the District Magistrates are being sent to Nabanna every day. There are two IAS officers posted in the control room set up in the Disaster Management Department in Nabanna.

The reports sent from the districts contain information on whether the distribution points were functioning properly during the banking hours and whether notes in lower denominations were available in banks.

The district authorities also need to provide information on three more aspects that include movement of trucks carrying vegetables, fish and other perishable goods, information on availability of essential goods in wholesale and retail markets in the districts and price of essential goods.

In the report, the district authorities also have to mention whether the control room was functional from 8 am to 11 pm every day till the situation becomes normal.

The team would assess the report sent from the districts. The members of the team will brief the situation to the Chief Secretary based on their assessment and he would take up the matter to the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

It may be mentioned that the Chief Minister was the first to raise her voice against the Centre’s decision of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes knowing that it would lead to harassment of common people.

Thus, to keep a tab on the situation and to give as much as possible respite to the people she had directed to set up the control room. At the same time the team to assess the loss was also formed.