The good and bad of demonetisation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8 announced a ban on old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. Here are the good and bad highlights of this move.

Ever since demonetisation initiative was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, several developments have taken place related to the move. While some have been encouraging, others highlight the flip side of the historic step taken by the Centre. We bring to you the good and bad developments related to demonetisation that have taken place in the last couple of days:

GOOD
DEMONETISATION LEADS TO LARGEST NAXAL SURRENDERS

Government policies in Left-wing extremism affected states, pressure built up by security forces for past few months and the latest demonetisation decision seem to be making a strong impact in the region with 564 Naxals and their sympathisers surrendering before the authorities in the last 28 days, the highest number to do so in a month ever.

BAD
DAD IN HOSPITAL WITH CANCER, GIRL TWEETS PM MODI FOR HELPUnable for days to withdraw money from her account for her ailing father's medicines, a 25-year-old woman from Agra has tweeted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for help, saying she cannot stand in serpentine bank queues, leaving her cancer-stricken father alone at home. Twenty-five-year-old Juhi Prakash tweeted asking for financial help in the face of crisis due to currency demonetisation. She is unable to spend hours waiting for cash withdrawal at banks and ATMs because her father is a cancer patient.

Also read: Income Tax Bill passed in Lok Sabha amid uproar by Opposition

GOOD
IAS OFFICERS SET EXAMPLE BY OPTING FOR COURT MARRIAGEDesperate times desperate measures. But this could be an exemplary marriage for many who are struggling in queues in front banks to get Rs 2.5 lakh for their marriages. But IAS officer Ashish Bashisht and his newly-wed IAS officer Saloni Sadna both decided to skip the trouble of social marriage and make it simple. Yesterday, in front of ADM court in Bhind, MP, both the bureaucrats got married, legally. Their marriage was solemnised in the court in the presence of members of both the families and few friends.

BAD
OLD NOTES IN DANCE BARS
Sting operation on dance bars operating in Mumbai have revealed that old currencies are getting transacted across the table. Owners of the bar say either take the old currency or spend the entire new currency amount. In a way, black money is being flushed out. The most shocking amongst them all is that parallel currency is running in the dance bars. It is another way of keeping black money in circulation. The dance bars have generated and developed their own parallel currency with Mahatma Gandhi's photo printed on it. If in an original Rs 20 note it is written, 'I promise to pay the bearer the sum of twenty rupees' with RBI Governor's signature, in the dance bar currency it is written, 'I promise to play with the coupon of twenty or 20 rupee' with the Governor as Santa Clause of Children Bank of India guaranteed by Children Bank. Rest all printing is same.

Also Read: From Sonu Nigam to Baba Sehgal, these singers are making demonetisation musical
 

GOOD
PARENTS OF PATIENT REFUSE FINANCIAL HELP IN 'BLACK MONEY'At a time when PM Modi is harping on the need to combat black money, a poor family in Kolkata is doing its bit to send across a strong message. Kolkata teen Sumana has been suffering from a rare genetic disorder and requires at least Rs 3 lakh per month for her medicines and treatment, failing which she slips into coma. Her family has been finding it impossible to make ends meet. But soon after the PM's demonetisation announcement, the family is flooded with calls from the rich willing to fund Sumana's treatment. But with a rider - hey will have to accept the money in their account and must return it in due course only for a tiny amount in return. Shocked and hurt, the family has refused point blank. Her parents say they are willing to sacrifice their daughter's life but will not accept black money for her treatment.

BAD
NEWLY-WED KILLED FOR BRINGING SCRAPPED NOTES AS DOWRYA newly-wed woman was allegedly killed by her in-laws for bringing demonetised notes as dowry. In the shocking incident, Pravati Mandal (18) was found dead in her home at Badasahi in Rangipur village under Golanthpur police limits in Ganjam district. Pravati's husband, Laxmi Nahaka, and his family defended that she had committed suicide. But the victim's father, Siba Mandal, has alleged that it as a dowry killing.

Also Read: Protests against demonetisation mushroom throughout Delhi
 

GOOD
MAN IN WHEELCHAIR SUPPORTS PM MODI
A man in wheel chair supports PM Modi on demonetisation. He said freedom fighter Subash Chandra Bose had asked for blood for freedom while Modi is asking only for 50 days. The man, a paraplegic, said he is in support of action against black money.

BAD
NOTE BAN HITS LABOUR INTENSIVE SECTORS
Labourers in the textile, footwear, plastic and metal industry have been adversely affected by the demonetisation move. While chaos over the note ban continues within and outside the walls of the parliament, labourers in the organised and unorganised sectors bear the brunt of this move. Labourers from Delhi have been compelled to leave National Capital Territory after demonetisation as they are unable to get money.

GOOD
FARMERS UNAFFECTED
Farmers in Assam are saying that they are not affected with demonetisation. They are supporting PM Modi.

BAD
SCRAPPED NOTES IN TEMPLECrores of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes were found in Hundi temple of Chittorgarh In Rajasthan as donations.

Also Read: Demonetisation will benefit Muslims, minorities and poor: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

GOOD
NEW NOTES IN BANKS
The banks in Uttrakhand have received new Rs 500 currency notes after 20 days, providing a major relief to the local people.

BAD
POLICE LATHICHARGE ON QUEUE
Police resorted to lathicharge on the people standing in queue at ATM to withdraw money in Bulandshahar.

GOOD
WINDFALL GAIN FOR LOCAL BODIES & REVENUE DEPARTMENTSAmid many side effects of demonetisation, municipal authorities and revenue departments are profiting. They are also getting record old dues recovered.

BAD
ADVOCATES THRASH YOUTHA group of advocates beat up a youth standing in queue in Kota. The incident took place at the banks in the court premise.

GOOD
FIRST ATM MACHINE INSTALLEDThe first ATM machine in Golaghat, Assam has been installed inside tea garden for garden workers.

BAD
BAGS WITH BANNED NOTES RECOVEREDThe police raided a mall which is under construction and recovered two bags full of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

GOOD
PM ASKS MPS & MLAS TO SUBMIT DETAILS OF BANK TRANSACTIONS POST 8TH NOVEMBER
All BJP MPs and MLAs have been asked to submit their bank transactions post November 8 till December 31 to party president Amit Shah on January 1.

BAD
BANKS VANDALISED

Irate customers vandalised two SBI branches in Manipur on Monday after the bank refused to allow people to withdraw Rs 24,000 each from their accounts citing cash shortage. A policeman was injured in violence in one of the banks while a mob damaged windows in another, witnesses and officials said. Bank work was hit in both places but no one has been arrested.

GOOD
RELAXATION FOR WITHDRAWAL OF CASH FROM BANK DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS
In a press release RBI said it has been reported that certain depositors are hesitating to deposit their monies into bank accounts in view of the current limits on cash withdrawals from accounts. As it is impeding active circulation of currency notes, it has been decided, on careful consideration, to allow withdrawals of deposits made in current legal tender notes on or after November 29 beyond the current limits, preferably, available higher denominations bank notes of Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 are to be issued for such withdrawals.
BAD
RS 9,800 CRORE DEPOSITED IN TAXI DRIVER'S ACCOUNT

Rs 9,800 crore was allegedly credited in the account of a taxi driver in Barnala.

GOOD
RS 8.44 LAKH CRORE DEPOSITED, RS 33,948 EXCHANGED
According to RBI, Rs 8.44 lakh crore has been deposited and Rs 33,948 crore has been exchanged till November 27. Consequent to the announcement of withdrawal of legal tender status of banknotes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations from the midnight of November 8, the RBI made arrangements for exchange and/or deposit of such notes at the counters of the Reserve Bank and commercial banks, Regional Rural banks and Urban Cooperative Banks.

GOOD
PAY 50 PER CENT TAX ON UNACCOUNTED DEPOSITS, OR 85 PER CENT IF CAUGHT

Providing yet another opportunity to black money holders to legalise their wealth, the government has proposed to tax at 50 per cent the unaccounted demonetised cash that is disclosed voluntarily till December 30, after which a steep up to 85 per cent tax and penalty will be levied on undisclosed wealth that is discovered by the authorities. The Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016, was introduced today in the Lok Sabha by Finance MinisterArun Jaitley, nearly three weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi banned high denomination currency notes. It also provides for immunity from being questioned on the source of funds.

GOOD
SCRAPPED NOTES ABANDONEDCurrency notes were found thrown on roadside in Ghaziabad. Eyewitnesses said a man came from white car and threw it there.

GOOD
GANG EXCHANGING NOTES BUSTED

Peddapally police of Telangana on Monday busted a seven-member gang involved in exchange of demonetised currency with the newly introduced Rs 2,000 notes. The police after specific information laid a trap at the spot where Rs 10 lakh was being exchanged by the gang and caught them red handed.

 

After Maharashtra, now Gujarat: Does BJP's win in local body polls mean support for demonetisation?

BJP today won the by-elections to local bodies in Gujarat, after emerging as a winner in Maharashtra civic polls yesterday. Does this mean a strong support for Narendra Modi's demonetisation?

In what could be termed as people's thumbs up to demonetisation or what can be called Narendra Modi's surgical strike against black money, the BJP swept the by-elections to local bodies in Gujarat after shining in Maharashtra yesterday.

The by-elections to municipal and district panchayat seats were held on Sunday, and BJP today emerged as a clear winner.

The BJP won 107 seats out of the total 123 seats in 16 districts of Gujarat in which by-elections were held.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ELECTION RESULTS

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the people for reposing faith in the BJP in a series of tweets.
2. Modi said, "Over the last few days, we have seen the results of various polls -- parliamentary, assembly and civic polls -- across India," and "These results suggest that people want all-round progress of the nation and will not tolerate corruption and misgovernance."
3. In Gujarat, where by-elections to local bodies were held, the BJP won 107 seats out of 123.
4. The party emerged the winner in two municipalities, one taluka panchayat along with winning in majority of seats of various other local bodies.
5. This came as a big sigh to Modi as well as the BJP as these polls were the first elections to be held after the government announced the demonetisation scheme, and these polls were seen as a litmus test.
6. These results also hold significance for the BJP as Gujarat, which witnessed protests by Dalits and Patels, will be holding elections next year.
7. The results of the civic body elections in Maharashtra, which was announced yesterday, also saw BJP emerge as a winner.
8. The BJP was up for big gains winning 851 of 3,705 seats across 147 municipal councils and 17 panchayats in Maharashtra. Their candidates also won in 52 councils where council chiefs were elected directly.
9. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today termed the BJP's victory in the state as not just a wave but a tsunami. "The BJP government is one which thinks of the common man," Fadnavis said, adding that people have reposed their trust in the BJP-led regime.
10. The BJP has also won by-polls in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Terror attack in Nagrota camp: 2 officers, 5 jawans martyred. All terrorists killed

According to reports, a group of militants armed with automatic weapons and explosives, entered the field regiment camp dressed in police uniform around 5.40 am. 

As many as seven soldiers, including two army officers were today killed in an encounter with security forces in Nagrota area of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to reports, a group of militants armed with automatic weapons and explosives, entered the field regiment camp dressed in police uniform around 5.40 am.  They started firing indiscriminately at the Officers' Mess inside the camp in Nagrota, some 15 km from here.

"12 jawans, 2 ladies and 2 children were inside the building when the terrorists entered the building in the Officers' Mess complex creating a hostage like situation," Army PRO Lt Col Manish Mehta said.

"Two officers and five jawans were martyred in the operation and three terrorists neutralised," he added.

TIMELINE

• Terrorists dressed in army uniform approached army unit gate in the morning.
• They hurled grenade, fired indiscriminately and entered the camp
• They rushed towards the built up area, firing indiscriminately; two soldiers killed in action
• Terrorists entered the army officers' mess and living quarters
• Quick Response Team of CRPF and army reaches camp.
• Quick Response Team of CRPF and army rescues some families and rushes injured to hospital
• Young army major engages terrorist, gets injured
• Officer refuses to be evacuated and fights terrorists
• Officer shot by terrorists
• Army Quick Response Team and other teams rush to reinforce troops
• Terrorists take hostage inside living quarters
• Deliberate operations mounted by army
• Several hostages including 12 soldiers, two women and two children rescued
• One more officer and 2 jawans killed in action rescuing hostages and engaging terrorists
• Army sanitises the area 

HIGHLIGHTS

1. Four terrorists entered the Officers' Mess around 5.40 am and threw grenades at the artillery unit
2. Nagrota base is the headquartes of the Army's 16 Corps, a military formation that defends the borders.
3. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said, "The attack is on military installation. Civilians are not being targeted."
4. However, schools close to the vicinity were shut down and the traffic was put to a hault.
5. Today's attack coincides with General Qamar Javed Bajwa taking charge from General Raheel Sharif, who parted saying with a message for India: "Don't mistake our patience for weakness."

GUNFIGHT IN SAMBA 

As soldiers battled the militants in Nagrota, another gunfight raged in Samba, some 40 km south of here.

A police officer said security forces engaged a group of infiltrators from Pakistan in a shootout near the International Border.

Three militants were killed in the heavy exchange of fire, the officer said. 

THE SERIES OF ATTACKS

India and Pakistan have been exchanging fire for months after killing of 19 soldiers in an attack on a military base in Uri, Kashmir.

Following the Uri attack, the Indian Army destroyed at least seven terror launch pads and killed an unknown number of terrorists and their sympathisers across the LoC in Pakistani Kashmir in a surgical strike.

Since then, militants have attacked security forces in at least a dozen strikes in Jammu and Kashmir.

MEHBOOBA MUFTI CONDEMNS THE ATTACK

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today condemned the terror attacks on security forces in Nagrota and Samba, saying such "dastardly" acts would not lower the resolve to fight terrorism.

"Condemn the terror attacks in Nagrota and Samba today. Such dastardly acts won't lower our resolve to fight terrorism," the Chief Minister today tweeted. 

Balochistan court issues arrest warrant against Musharraf

The counsel of Musharraf, Akhtar Shah pleaded to the court that although his client respects the court, he cannot appear before the court due to "security reasons".

The Balochistan High Court on Monday issued a bailable arrest warrant against former Pakistani dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf in a case pertaining to the alleged murder of former Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti in a military operation in 2006.

A divisional bench of the Balochistan High Court passed the order during hearing of review petition challenging acquittal of the 73-year-old former president by an Anti- Terrorism Court in the case, Dawn reported.

Justice Jamal Mandokhail and Justice Zaheeruddin Kakar heard a review petition filed by Nawabzada Jamil Bugti, the son of Akbar Bugti.

The Balochistan High Court on Monday issued a bailable arrest warrant against former Pakistani dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf in a case pertaining to the alleged murder of former Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti in a military operation in 2006.

A divisional bench of the Balochistan High Court passed the order during hearing of review petition challenging acquittal of the 73-year-old former president by an Anti- Terrorism Court in the case, Dawn reported.

Justice Jamal Mandokhail and Justice Zaheeruddin Kakar heard a review petition filed by Nawabzada Jamil Bugti, the son of Akbar Bugti.

The death of the Baloch chieftain had sparked angry protests in parts of the country.

Musharraf, who went into self-imposed exile in Dubai after being forced to resign as president facing impeachment following the 2008 elections, had returned to Pakistan in 2013 to contest elections but was implicated in several cases. He also lost in the polls.

He was not allowed to leave the country until government allowed him in March this year to go abroad for treatment following orders by the Supreme Court.

Musharraf has been facing a slew of cases, including the high treason trial since 2013 and he was barred from leaving the country in 2014 by the government.

Musharraf seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999, deposing the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

RBI eases withdrawal limits for deposits made in legal tender

If someone deposits valid legal tenders (Rs 2,000, Rs 500, Rs 100, Rs 50, Rs 20, Rs 10, Rs 5) of Rs 4,000, the withdrawal limit for that person would rise by Rs 4,000 over and above weekly withdrawal limit of Rs 24,000. For current accounts, the withdrawal limit is Rs 50,000 a week for small traders.

To encourage people to deposit valid currency notes in banks, RBI today said bank customers would be able to withdraw deposits made in current legal tender notes beyond the current limits, a move aimed at increasing currency circulation in system.

For example, if someone deposits valid legal tenders (Rs 2,000, Rs 500, Rs 100, Rs 50, Rs 20, Rs 10, Rs 5) of Rs 4,000, the withdrawal limit for that person would rise by Rs 4,000 over and above weekly withdrawal limit of Rs 24,000. For current accounts, the withdrawal limit is Rs 50,000 a week for small traders.

n a late evening circular, the Reserve Bank said that it has been reported that "certain depositors are hesitating" to deposit their money into bank accounts in view of the current limits on cash withdrawals from accounts. "As it is impeding active circulation of currency notes, it has been decided, on careful consideration, to allow withdrawals of deposits made in current legal tender notes on or after November 29, 2016 beyond the current limits; "Preferably, available higher denominations bank notes of Rs 2000 and Rs 500 are to be issued for such withdrawals," the Reserve Bank said.

Demonetisation hits Parliament House too, ATMs in premise run out of cash

After the withdrawal of legal tender character of old Rs 500/1000 notes from November 9, a Rs 24,000 per week limit (including from ATM) on withdrawal has been put in place.

Additionally, RBI has also allowed banks operating currency chests to operate Chest Guarantee Scheme for Specified Bank Notes (SBNs)CGSS if they have additional space.

However, they can do so if the additional space in their existing currency chest or additional storage space at the same centre which is nearly as safe and secure as that of a currency chest.

Requisite approval for operating CGSS will be granted by RBI Regional Office concerned, on receipt of request from any bank, it said.

Yesterday, RBI had allowed banks to park such currencies at currency chests at the district level so as to decongest the storage facility.

A currency chest operating at the point to be called Designated Chest (DC) will be required to operate a separate vault -- to be named Chest Guarantee Vault (CGV) -- as an extended arm of it, it had said.

NIA arrests 3 suspected al-Qaeda operatives who were planning to kill PM Modi

The arrested men are believed to have been involved in the planning of five different court attacks. Explosives were confiscated from the suspects' residence.

Following raids in several places across Madurai in Tamil Nadu, three suspected al-Qaeda operatives were arrested today by the National Investigation Agency, police said.

Police said the three allegedly planned to attack 22 top leaders of the country including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Those arrested were identified as M Khareem, Asif Sultan Mohammed and Abbas Ali. While Khareem was arrested from Usmannagar, Asif Sultan Mohammed was picked up from G R Nagar and Abbas Ali from Ismailpuram.

Police said NIA raided several places on receiving specific information that suspected al-Qaeda activists were operating in and around Madurai.

The NIA had tracked their movement for 10 days before apprehending the suspects today morning.

Police are also on the the lookout for two other men, Hakeem and Dawood Sulaiman.

The arrested men are believed to have been involved in the planning of five different court attacks. Hoards of explosives were confiscated from the suspects' residence.

Police said the arrested suspects had made threatening phone calls to six different embassies as well.

Trump attacks Clinton over Wisconsin vote recount

Trump attacks Clinton over Wisconsin vote recount

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton had combative exchanges during the pre-election debates

Mr Trump reminded his Democratic rival that she had already conceded, and published remarks from the presidential debates in which she had urged an acceptance of the poll results.

Mrs Clinton was then reacting to Mr Trump's refusal to respect the outcome.

The recount in Wisconsin was initiated by Green Party candidate Jill Stein.

The state was narrowly won by Mr Trump.

Dr Stein also wants recounts in Michigan and Pennsylvania, citing "statistical anomalies".

The Green Party nominee reportedly wants to be sure computer hackers did not skew the poll in favour of Mr Trump.

Concerns over possible Russian interference had been expressed in the run-up to the vote.

The US government has said Russian state actors were behind hacks on the Democratic National Committee, a claim denied by Moscow.

Results would need to be overturned in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania to alter the outcome of the 8 November presidential election - something analysts say is highly unlikely.

Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign has said it will participate in Wisconsin's recount.

Her campaign's general counsel, Marc Elias, said there was no evidence to conclude the election had been sabotaged, but "we have an obligation to the more than 64 million Americans who cast ballots for Hillary Clinton to participate in ongoing proceedings to ensure that an accurate vote count will be reported".

Posting on Twitter, Mr Trump said the recount decision was "sad".

"So much time and money will be spent - same result!" he said.

He had earlier accused Dr Stein of trying to "fill her coffers with money" on the pretext of asking for donations towards a recount.

Her website says more than $6m (£4.8m; €5.6m) has already been raised toward a $7m target. It says this is enough to fund the recounts in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

The deadline for the petition for the recount in Wisconsin was Friday, while Pennsylvania's deadline is Monday, and Michigan's is Wednesday.

Michigan is yet to declare its final results.

Ranveer Singh thinks Deepika Padukone is "marriage material"

Ranveer Singh got a bit too candid on Koffee With Karan!

When two bombs like Ranveer Singh and Ranbir Kapoor get together with the guru of gossip, Karan Johar, sparks are meant to fly.

In the next episode of Koffee With Karan, set to air tonight, we will see Ranveer Singh be his usual candid self and reveal a bit more about his lady love, Deepika Padukone.

During the rapid fire round on Koffee With Karan, Karan will give Ranveer a choice between Anushka, Katrina and Deepika in his kill-marry-hook up question. While Ranveer said he would marry Deepika--because he thinks she's "marriage material", he chose to kill Anushka because "she's very mean to me for no reason".

And goes without saying, Ranveer chose to hook up with Katrina, and instantly apologised to Ranbir Kapoor right after saying that!

According to DNA, Ranbir and Ranveer also talked about starring in a film together, which has temporarily been named Project X. The boys even told Karan Johar that he could produce the film. Ranveer said, "This is a great opportunity for Karan as leading actors rarely agree to do two-hero films these days!"

Rohan Mehra's father gives befitting reply to Om Swami for his 'upbringing' comment

Rohan Mehra's father has hit back at BB10 contestant Swami Om for questioning Rohan's upbringing.

Swami Om is one contestant who's increasingly getting impossible to bear by most contestants. He has, in fact, even managed to piss off Salman Khan, by interrupting his speech multiple times.

Swami Om has also been passing ugly remarks about fellow inmates, especially Rohan Mehra.

When Rohan chose Om Swami for two punishments for his disappointing performance in the Luxury budget task, Om Swami started saying, "Rohan Murdabad." Like that wasn't enough, Swami even went on to question Rohan's upbringing. He said, "Kaisa iska khandaan hai aur kaise iske sanskaar hain."

Now, Rohan's father has decided to give a befitting reply to Swami's comments. Rohan's father told DNA, "People do lose their sanity when confined in the house but never before has Bigg Boss witnessed this kind of insanity. Om Swami has crossed his line this time but good to see everyone united & standing against him. I'm hoping Salman will give him his piece of mind."

He added that he was proud of his son for handling the situation calmly: "Rohan is a sensible boy. I was relieved to see him keep his cool and handle the whole situation without having to stoop down to his level. But it's time Swami mends his ways before people start losing their cool,"he said.

Mann Ki Baat: Mamata accuses Modi of misusing government machinery, Omar rejects cashless idea

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been exhorting the nation to adopt cashless economy to weed out corruption, but among the political class there are few takers.

Moments after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked people to go cashless to root out corruption, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee charged him of 'misusing government machinery'.

Mamata Banerjee took to twitter to continue her opposition to demonetisation by launching a scathing attack on PM Modi. She said that the PM has converted the monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat into Modi Ki Baat.

"Maan Ki Baat has now become Modi Ki Baat. Misusing government machinery. Instead of finding solutions to the suffering and pain of millions of people, he is doing personal vendetta, personal publicity and business," Mamata said. 

In a series of tweets, Mamata said, "Modiji, you have finished India's economy and growth. We don't trust you or your mismatched wrong technology, which you are advertising for. We want technology and progress. But no section of society is to be left out and tortured while doing this."

"The women of our country will give you a befitting reply. They are the mother of India. They are the mother of all, Mr Today's PM," Mamata Banerjee said.

Just like Mamata Banerjee, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah too rejected the idea of cashless economy in India.

Omar Abdullah termed the idea of a cashless economy as floated by Prime Minister Narendra as 'unrealistic'.

Reacting to Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address, Omar Abdullah said that internet connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir was unreliable.

"I'd love to move to a cashless economy but given the reliability of connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir and the absence of points of sale I fear I'd starve," Omar Abdullah tweeted.

The National Conference (NC) working president said that it was an unrealistic idea especially for the people living in remote areas of the state.

"And I live in Srinagar. Imagine asking people in Gurez, Karnah, Keran and other remote areas to dispense with cash!!! Totally unrealistic idea," he said.