Jaitley protects Modi from Opposition fire

Rejecting the demand of political parties like Aam Admi Party and Trinamool Congress, he said, “It is a clear decision of the Prime Minister and government to cleanse politics and economy of the country. We will stick to it (demonetisation)”. 

“The government’s decision to limit the exchange of banned Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes to Rs 2,000, from the existing cap of Rs 4,500, would stop misuse of funds,” Jaitley said and added, “As of now, there is no plan to reintroduce Rs 1,000 note.” He also said that around 10 per cent of ATMs would be recalibrated to dispense new notes. “22,500 ATMs will be recalibrated to allow withdrawal of Rs 100, Rs 500 and the Rs 2,000 notes. Nearly two lakh ATMs exist as of now,” he added. 

When asked about the Opposition’s demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should reply to the demonetisation debate in Parliament, Jaitley said it is the “prerogative of the government” to decide who will speak on the matter. Jaitley attacked the Congress Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad for his remarks that more Indians have died in bank lines than in the attack on the Indian Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir’s Uri in September this year. “The Congress as a national party must support it instead of obstructing, and then comparing it with Pakistani terrorism is irresponsible. What is the vested interest of the Congress party to oppose this initiative to curb black money and terror funding?” he said.