Bhatkal: The Bhatkal taluka Congress workers today staged a protest here observing as a "black day" against demonetization as party leaders launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led NDA government, slamming it of failing to bring back black money within 50 days.
The Congress leaders termed demonetization as the 'biggest scam' that favored only the rich.
Addressing the gathering, Congress leader Rama Moger said, Demonetisation was a huge advantage for the rich, as it allowed them to convert their black money to white. Demonetisation favored the rich and not the poor. The poor had to suffer and even lose their lives."
Bhatkal block Congress President Vithal Naik said, When former Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, alerted Modi about the deadly side effects of the measure in the Lok Sabha, Modi took lightly of him, asking him why was there any need to wear a raincoat when taking bath. The government has now confessed that the GDP has come down to 5.8%, a fall of one percent which means loss of one percent of the population by way of jobs. Modi had assured in meetings to create two crore new jobs every year.
Several people who stood in long queues in banks during demonetization exercise collapsed and died. No compensation has been disbursed to them so far, and the Prime Minister has not responded to advice for the same. Small industries suffered huge loss because of demonetization.
He further said that the demonetization has turned as blessings only for the rich and has been a curse for the poor people. After demonetization, people started to stand in long queues to withdraw their hard earned money and more than 150 people lost their lives. Hundreds of industries shut down and thousands of people lost their jobs. Corporate companies cut down employees. There was also a slump in the GDP, he added.
On this occasion TP president Ishwar Baliya Naik, VP Radha Vaidya, Jali pattan panchayat president Abdur Raheem, Shirali panchayat president Venkatesh Naik, TP member Mahabaleshwar Naik, TP standing committee chairman Vishnu Devadiga, Jali panchayat standing committee chairman Syed Adam, Heble panchayat Syed Ali Maliki and many others were present.
The similar protests also marked in neighboring taluks including Kumta, Honnavar, Karwar, Sirsi etc.