PM Modi defends frequent changes in demonetisation rules

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday defended frequent changes in demonetisation rules, saying these are being done to reduce people's problems.

During his address to the nation through his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme on radio, PM Modi said he was also "feeling the pain" demonetisation has caused to people across the country but defended the move to curb corruption and black money in India.

"People are going through pain, hardship. Who won't feel the pain? I am also feeling the pain as much as people are," Modi said in his monthly radio broadcast "Mann Ki Baat".

He said he had received three kinds of suggestions from the people over the November 8 decision to spike 86 per cent of the total currency in circulation in the country.

"Some people have written about the problems, inconvenience citizens were facing. In the second category, people have stressed on the good work, (which is) in the interest of the nation. They also spoke about irregularities in some parts and how new ways of corruption are being devised."

"In the third category, people have supported (the demonetisation move). In addition, they have asked to continue the war against black money, corruption. They have asked for stricter steps to weed out corruption, black money."

PM Modi thanked people for enduring the "pain" caused by the government's November 8 decision to spike 500 and 1,000 rupee notes that has caused an unprecedented cash crunch across the country.

"I congratulate people for not only enduring pain but also for giving appropriate answers to those who were trying to mislead them," Modi said.

The Prime Minister said people faced hardships and inconvenience but "answered back those who publicly tried to mislead them".

The move to recall 86 per cent of the total currency in circulation was ostensibly aimed at to curb corruption and black money in the country. 

However, it has led to people in large number queuing up to withdraw or deposit cash in overcrowded banks and ATMs.

Here are the highlights:

• Wish everyone a Merry Christmas
• Jesus not just served the poor but has also appreciated the service done by poor, this is real empowerment
• I wish you all a merry Christmas. This is a day of service and compassion
• Today is also Madan Mohan Malviya’s anniversary, he gave modern teaching a whole new direction
• Today, is also the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji; country will never forget his contribution to the nation
• Bharatiya janmanas mei sankalp aur aatmavishvas jagane wale Malviya ji ne aadhunik siksha ko ek nayi disha di
• Govt has launched two schemes today, for consumer the scheme is called 'Lucky Grahak Yojana' & for small traders 'Digi Dhan Vapar Yojana'
• Today there is curiosity among people as to how can one go cashless. People want to learn from each other
• Govt has launched 2 schemes today, for consumer the scheme is called 'Lucky Grahak Yojana' & for small traders 'Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana' 
• Aaj Christmas ke din, saugat ke roop mei deshwasiyon ko do yojnaon ka laabh milne jaa raha hai
• Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana is mainly for businessmen, they must encourage cashless transactions
• You will be surprised to know that 30 crore ppl in India have RuPay cards, of those 20 crore belong to poor families
• Grahakon ko protsahan karne ke liye yojna- ‘Lucky Grahak Yojana’, vyapariyon ko protsahan karne ke liye yojna- ‘Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana’
• There are 30 crore RuPay cards in the country out of them 20 crore are owned by the poor who have Jan Dhan accounts
• Cashless transactions across the country have increased by 200-300%
• Awareness towards online payments and using technology for economic transactions is increasing
• I congratulate Assam Govt in particular for taking initiatives to promote cashless economy
• Appreciate Assam Government for their efforts to turn towards digital payments & transactions
• Informal sector is very significant in our country and mostly they receive salary/wages in cash and are often even exploited
• Appreciate Assam Government for their efforts to turn towards digital payments & transactions: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• Informal sector is very significant in our country and mostly they receive salary/wages in cash and are often even exploitated
• ​We should be at the forefront of using digital means to make payments and transactions
• This digital movement is a golden opportunity for youth and start-ups. They can open new avenues through it
• Businessmen who make use of digital payments will also receive Income Tax benefits
• Like last month, many suggestions, inputs & comments were based on decision on our fight against corruption and black money
• People wrote to me about problems they faced during recent times, some praised deonetisation and how it fights corruption
• Gurumani on MyGov app have appreciated Govt's effort to curb black money, his sentiments are shared by rest of country
• I thank people as they not only went through hardships but also answered back those who tried to mislead the public
• I congratulate people for not only enduring pain but also for giving appropriate answers to those who were trying to misled them
• If Parliament would have functioned there would have been fruitful discussions
• Law is equal for all. Be it any individual or any political party
• Lot of questions are being raised on frequent change of rules but I want to say that I have decided to take those indulging in corruption
• When the Govt is behind them, they are also trying to obstruct Govt's endeavour and coming up with innovative ways
• Black money hoarders are being nabbed across the country. Secret is that information by common people enables us to do it: PM 
• I assure you that this is not the end, this is just the beginning in our fight against corruption
• It is our priority to do whatever it takes for the betterment of our nation
• People are spreading rumours that political parties are exempted, this isn’t true
• There was an all round fury around hat happen during Parliament session; even President & VP shared their concerns
• Many are writing to me- Modinji thak mat jaana, rukk mat jaana aur jitna kathor kadam utha sakte ho uthao
• Amid uproar in Parl, a good thing happened. As part of my govt's mission for Divyang persons,Rights of Disabled Persons bill was passed
• But amidst that The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill was passed; thank RS and LS for that
• World Bank ki Business Report mei Bharat ki ranking badhi hai
• Performance of Indian cricket team has been phenomenal this year, congratulate the team for beating England 4-0
• Our sportsmen and sportswomen have made us proud
• After 15 years our Junior Hockey has won the world cup, I congratulate all the young players
• May 2017 be a fulfilling year for everyone. I wish all citizens a very Happy New Year

On November 27, PM Modi had said that the decision was not easy for him to take and urged the public to support him in this initiative. 

Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi put up a spirited defence of demonetisation in the face of sharp attacks at home and abroad, saying the move was only one of the many intended radical reforms to cleanse India of corruption and black money and make the country developed in one generation.

Calling the currency ban a "war against corrupt", Modi said that the November 8 decision to spike 86 per cent - in 500 and 1,000 rupee notes - of the country's total currency in circulation was a "short term pain for a long term gain" fraught with its own political risks.

"Let me make it clear. The government will continue to follow sound and prudent economic policies to ensure India has a bright future in the long run. We will not take decisions for short-term political point scoring. We will not shy away from taking difficult decisions if those decisions are in the interest of the country," Modi said at Raigad in Maharashtra.

The Prime Minister's defence of demonetisation, which has led to an unprecedented cash crunch and economic upheaval across the country, came after heavy criticism from the opposition at home and economists and media houses across the world.

Latest India News