Prime Minister Narendra Modi today strongly defended the government’s demonetisation move in the Lok Sabha, saying the ‘decision was not taken at right time keeping in view the good health of country’s economy’.
Replying to the discussion on motion of thanks to the President’s address to a joint sitting of the Parliament, the Prime Minister argued that ‘it was the right step taken at the right time to rid the economy of tax evasion and black money’.
He also accused the opposition of running away from a debate on the issue on the floor of the House.
"We were ready for discussion, but instead of discussion the opposition was more concerned about giving TV bytes," he said.
Likening the decision with surgery conducted on the human body, he said, "When can you have an operation? When the body is healthy. For demonetisation, good economy was needed and this was a proper time. Our economy was doing well and our (demonetisation) decision was taken at the right time."
"The move was calculative. The decision was taken after Diwali when trade (across the country) was high," he said.
The drive, he said, was like the Swachh Bharat mission to clean the economy of ill-gotten wealth accumulated by evading tax.
"Like Swachh Bharat, the decision on demonetisation is a movement to clean India (of corruption and black money)," Modi said.
The Prime Minister said that he was aware of the political risks but ‘note ban procedure went as planned’.
He reiterated that the decision was not taken for political gains.
“I am not concerned about the elections,” he said. "I am concerned about my country."
He also urged the opposition parties ‘to join the mainstream and contribute in the development of the country’.
The Prime Minister, during his address, also took a dig at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi over his ‘earthquake’ remark made during the Winter Session of the Parliament which failed to transact any business due to continuous uproar by the opposition over demonetisation drive.
“Yesterday an earthquake occurred, the central government is in touch with the states. We will do whatever we can to aid those affected,” he said.
“But finally the earthquake did come. I was wondering why the quake came when it did. The threat was given a long time ago. There must be some reason that Mother Earth was so angry," he said without naming Rahul.
Attacking the Congress party over the role of ‘one family in the freedom struggle’, he said, “There are many people like me who couldn't die for the nation during the freedom struggle but we are living for India and serving India.”
"Somewhere on the way, 'Jan Shakti' (people power) was forgotten and we don't accept this. I never heard them speak about the role of Chandrasekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh and many other freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the country," he added.
"They think the country got independence only due to one family," he said in an apparent attack on the Nehru dynasty.
Highlights:
* PM Modi appeals to all parties to consider the suggestion for holding simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha and Assemblies, rising above political considerations
* I am taking such decisions which are hurting big people and because of that I am going to face problems. I am ready for that: PM Modi
* Now, middlemen no longer enjoy the benefits they did. We have stopped the corruption and loot: PM Modi
* My govt is committed to fight against corruption. 84 schemes of 17 Ministries were linked to DBT: PM Modi
* 21,000 crore LEDs were distributed successfully. We have saves Rs 11,000 in electricity bill: PM Modi
* 22 lakhs 27 thousand houses were constructed in one year: PM Modi
* Changes in MNREGA were made 1035 times. What were the reasons? The country wants to know: PM Modi
* When I passed an order making PAN mandatory for purchase of jwellieries above Rs 2 lakh, people wrote letters to me urging to annul this order: PM Modi
* During demonetisation, on one side there were people who robbed the country and on the other there was an honest attempt being made: PM Modi
Note ban procedure went as planned, says PM Modi
* Note ban not done for vote bank: PM Narendra Modi
* Changes were made in rules repeatedly post-demonetisation as govt wanted to find ways to ease problems of people: PM Modi
* Like Swachh Bharat, the decision on demonetisation is a movement to clean India (from corruption and black money): PM
Since economy was in strong condition, demonetisation timing was the best, says PM
* When can you have an operation? When the body is healthy. The economy was doing well and thus our decision was taken at the right time: PM Modi
* We do not see everything from the prism of elections. The interests of the nation are supreme for us: PM Modi
My fight is for the poor and giving the poor their due. This fight will continue: PM Modi
* It does not matter how big you are, you will have to give back what belongs to the poor. My fight is for the poor: PM Modi
* Why Benami law passed during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure in 1988 was not notified for 26 years? PM Modi asks Congress
From Day 1, we have been clear- we are ready for a discussion on demonetisation but some were more keen on TV bytes & not debates: PM
* I was surprised that there were some who made cleanliness also a political issue. Why can't we work together on ushering a Swachh Bharat: PM
* I had said it from the Red Fort- every Prime Minister has contributed to the nation: PM Modi
* Somewhere on the way, 'Jan Shakti' was forgotten. We do not accept this: PM Modi in the Lok Sabha
* There are many people like me, who could not die for the nation during the freedom struggle but we are living for India & serving India: PM Modi
* It is due to this 'Jan Shakti' that the person born to a poor family can become the Prime Minister of India: PM Modi
* We remember how democracy was under threat from 1975 to 1977, when opposition leaders were jailed, newspaper freedom curtailed: PM Modi
* How can someone see 'SEVA' or any positive virtue in the word 'SCAM' : PM Modi in Lok Sabha
* Various members of the House added vigour into the debate & shared insightful points. I thank the MPs for their participation: PM Modi
* Yesterday an earthquake occured, the central govt is in touch with the states: PM Modi
