TMC MLAs protest outside RBI office against note ban

On the day when Urjit Patel, the Governor, Reserve Bank of India arrived in the city, Trinamool Congress legislators staged a demonstration outside RBI office in BBD Bag alleging ordeal of common people even after one month of demonetisation of high value notes.

TMC legislators, led by secretary general Partha Chatterjee, Firhad Hakim, Sovan Chatterjee and Sobhandeb Chatterjee marched towards RBI building on BBD Bag.

The MLAs held posters and placards highlighting the ordeal of people.

Partha Chatterjee said that one month had lapsed but no relief had been given to the people. Long queues are still seen in front of ATMs and banks and there was shortage of notes. “People are standing in the queues for hours to get their own money. More than 100 people have died and RBI is not informing about the exact amount of notes it has given in different banks in the state. This is most unfortunate. RBI should come out with a statement,” he said.

Firhad Hakim said that all development work in the state had been stalled due to demonetisation. Work in government offices have been affected as people are going to the banks to queue up to withdraw their money. 

The small traders and businessman and daily wage earners are the worst hit. “The jute mills and tea garden workers are not getting their wages and many of them are losing their jobs,” he maintained. He said RBI should tell people when the ordeal would end. It may be mentioned that even Hakim had to return empty handed as the ATM counters he visited to withdraw Rs 2,000 did not have money. He said the Prime Minister was talking about digital India but there was no infrastructure in the village to swipe cards. 

“There are thousands of villages in the country which do not have electricity and the people are illiterate. How can they use cards?” he wondered. He added: “The draconian decision was taken with some hidden agenda. It will benefit the rich and the poor people will be the worst hit. Why is Narendra Modi is silent about the people who died in queues,” he maintained.

TMC will hold meetings and rallies all over the state for the next three days to protest against demonetisation.