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As it happened: Modi slams Cong, justifies note ban, envisions cashless future in RS
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that his government’s demonetisation exercise wasn’t targeted at any particular group
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that his government’s demonetisation exercise wasn’t targeted at any particular group nor was it a political fight. It was a move to strengthen the faith of the innocent and honest in the country’s system, he said.
Recalling high-value banknotes was a right decision made at the right time as the economy was in good health and there was a brief lull in business after the peak festive season, Modi said in the Lok Sabha a day ago.
More updates from the House.
6:57pm: Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari refuses to allow more time beyond the debate
6:55pm: CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury asks for the floor to rebuttal Modi’s comments
6:51pm: “We must look at a different kind of integration, where people from different states know a little about other states, their culture, their language, etc. Such integration will further strengthen the country,” Modi says as he finishes his address
6:50pm: Smaller countries like Singapore are managing cleaner surroundings. Why can’t we? We should also have such a vision
6:49pm: Modi says we need to change out mindset. The youth need to take the initiative
6:45pm: We allowed 100% foreign direct investment to aide food processing industry
6:43pm: In 500 mandis, farmers have received mobile phones to help them
6:41pm: A small change can bring a big change, says Modi
6:40pm: If we need to protect the farmer, we need to focus on their income. We need to look at insuring them despite crop failure due to various reasons, including the weather
6:37pm: The Swacch Bharat Abhiyan is made fun of. But if Mahatma Gandhi was here, would the same people speak this way?
6:35pm: Modi: Till when will we refuse to accept loss? Until them we can’t move forward
6:34pm: Modi: The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is aimed at reaching 5 crore families
6:32pm: Now you can register a company in 24 hours. You don’t have to wait months for a passport, says Modi
6:30pm: Our government focused on good governance more than anybody else, Modi says taking a dig at the Congress’ UPA years
6:27pm: Modi: Attacks on the party I belong to, our government, on me are understandable but why was the RBI dragged into this. It was not required
6:26pm: “There was so much said about what is wrong with the nation...perhaps they (Congress) were giving a report card of their own record,” says Modi
6:25pm: We need to promote digital payments, says Modi
6:22pm: Modi: Not a single penny was spent on developing the new BHIM app
6:21pm: Just because it is inconvenient, doesn’t mean we continue in the same way. There is no reason for India to be left behind as the world moves forward
6:20pm: Cashless means taking the country step-by-step, slowly in the direction of a clean economy, say Modi
6:18pm: Modi: We want to take the country forward. We are talking digital (transformation)
6:16pm: Modi: During Indira Gandhi’s time, could such as a step (demonetisation) be taken? This question was raised in 1981.
6:15pm: Modi: There is a horizontal divide -- on one side are the people of India and the government, and on the other side are a group of political leaders.
6:14pm: Modi: For almost 35 years, Manmohan Singh ji had a lot of influence on country’s economic policies.
6:12pm: Modi attacks former prime minister Manmohan Singh, says he knows how to bathe with a raincoat since he isn’t tainted
6:11pm: Opposition must have the courage to listen other than just speaking, Modi says
6:10pm: PM Modi starts speaking again
6:08pm: Opposition members protest the Modi’s comments. Stage a walkout
6:06pm: Disruption in Rajya Sabha as opposition create a ruckus in response to PM Modi’s speech
6pm: Modi on demonetisation: World’s economists don’t know parameters to assess it. What India did will be a case study for economists worldwide.
5:57pm:
5:53pm: Modi: You (Anand Sharma) are showing so much zeal, why were you quiet till now? Why did you not sue Madhav Godbole?:
5:52pm: Modi: Former bureaucrat Madhav Godbole in a book wrote...in 1971 Indira Gandhi was advised by then FM to demonetise, but she rejected idea.
5:51pm: Modi: Corruption has adversely impacted the aspirations of the poor and the middle class
5:50pm: Modi: Honest men will not feel empowered till steps taken against the corrupt are made stronger.
5:48pm: Modi: If there is anyone who has been affected, it’s the poor. They are the worst affected.
5:46pm: Modi: The fight against corruption and black money is not a political fight. It is not to single out any particular party.
5:45pm: Modi: Several members have shared their views and there was considerable discussion on demonetisation
