After joining hands with those criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his revolutionary step of demonetising high denomination currency notes, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday announced that old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 rupee notes will be legally accepted for land registration till November 24.
Earlier yesterday, Akhilesh had targeted the Centre saying that the government should at least keep the farmers out of the currency scrapping move as they needed the money to purchase fertilisers and sand.
“I have said this repeatedly that at least the farmers should be given a discount as they have to purchase seeds, medicines, diesel etc. How much money would a farmer have? But the government is categorising the farmers as black money holders. If a person has Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 even they are in the category of black money holders,” Akhilesh Yadav told ANI.
“This is wrong. The central government did not act with a proper mindset. They were not prepared about this. They have not done it wisely, because of which the people have to suffer,” he further added.
Akhilesh also said that whichever government had troubled the poor, it was shown the door by the masses. "This government has caused immense pain to commoners," he said.
The UP CM said that the Samajwadi Party has always been in support of curbing corruption, and added that the Centre should have thought about the decision as people have lost their lives standing in queues just like in 1946.
"It's not that we are not against black money or corruption. We, the members of the Samajwadi Party, have always been against black money. We have worked on the path of curbing corruption. But the preparation has exposed the government. The government which gives pain to the nation, the people removes that government," he said.
Earlier on Saturday, Akhilesh was of the view that demonetisation will not serve the purpose of checking black money.
"It's good that corruption is checked and people become aware that there should not be (any) corruption. But this problem cannot be overcome merely by changing Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes...Those who used to keep such notes are now waiting for Rs 2000 notes..." Akhilesh had said.
