Uttar Pradesh Congress to observe 'Black Day', organise candlelight march on anniversary of demonetisation

Lucknow: The Congress’ Uttar Pradesh unit on Tuesday said that it will mark 8 November, the first anniversary of demonetisation, by observing a ‘Black Day’ in the state, and hold processions to highlight its “ill-effects”. In 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the scrapping of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes on 8 November. “We will observe November 8 as a ‘black day for the economy’ throughout the state, and take out a candlelight march at 8 pm. During the day, meetings, processions and nukkad sabhas will also be held. “On this day, we will pay tributes to martyrs (balidaaniyo) of demonetisation,” Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief Raj Babbar told reporters in Lucknow. [caption id=“attachment_2889846” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of UP Congress chief Raj Babbar. News18[/caption] Terming the GST (Goods and Services Tax) as “Gabbar Singh Tax”, he said, “The implementation of the GST has hurt the traders in general, and the small traders in particular. Owing to demonetisation, people have lost their lives either in police action or due to heart attack. The promise that things will change and improve in 50 days was also not fulfilled.” Babbar also said that if voted to power, the Congress will change the GST in a way that it does not attack the common man, and also usher in a job revolution. The Uttar Pradesh Congress chief said a memorandum will be given to the Prime Minister’s Office demanding families who lost their members during demonetisation be paid Rs 25 lakh as compensation and the next of kin be given a job. “The people of the country had put their faith in the prime minister, but they have been betrayed,” he said. There were no benefits of demonetisation, but only losses. There was unemployment, development came to a standstill and farmers are feeling harassed, Babbar claimed. Hitting out at Modi, he said, “We demand that the PM tender an apology to the people for causing damage to the economy.” “We also demand compensation for those who died due to demonetistaion. Modi should be sensitive. A situation should not arise that elections are held on choosing the tolerant and intolerant, instead of being held on issues,” he said. “On 8 November, 2016, the prime minister declared that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes would be reduced to mere pieces of paper. This type of ‘farmaan’ (announcement) has not been made by any prime minister. This is the job of the RBI or the finance minister,” Babbar said. Economists in India and other countries, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh had said that due to demonetisation the GDP growth rate will decline by 2 percent, the Congress leader said. “BJP leaders, at that time, made various comments. Not even a year has passed, and the GDP growth rate has declined by more than 2 percent, and the economy has virtually collapsed,” he said. On the recent controversy surrounding the Taj Mahal, Babbar said, “When we speak of shahzaade, they start talking about ‘Shah Jahan’. We talk about issues pertaining to the public, they start talking about Taj Mahal.”