Demonetisation a blow to terror funding: Rijiju

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'surgical strike' on black money has given a powerful blow to the people supplying fake Indian currency notes and those involved in terror funding.
"It is a historic step and will break the bones of the terrorist organisations and the people who are funding behind the cartel," Rijiju said at the sideline of a function held in a city college.
Reacting to Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma's attack on the PM's decision terming it as a "complete insensitive" move, Rijiju said that initially inconveniences will be there but "you have to accept this strong therapy to deal with the menace of black money, corruption and terror funding".

"So if you expect that everything will go smoothly it will not be so. Good citizens are bearing with us and it is only some of the people because of whom the black money has been generated in this country and the corruption promoted only that person and group of people are having problem," he added.
Rijiju also said that the Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes will not be idle as they will be returned to the banks and will continue to be the owner's asset.
Asked about the issue relating to banking facility in the remote areas of north-east states, Rijiju said, "We have already asked all the bank branches to ensure that they should go further deep in terms of reaching out to the people. We need to expand the reach of banks so that people are linked with the financial system easily."

He also said that the Reserve Bank of India has already made certain decision to ensure that branches are opened in various administrative centres or locations in the remote areas of the country.

Replying to another query, he said that the present Bangladesh regime is "very favourable" towards India in ensuring that there are no anti-India activities taking place in Bangladesh.
"We are very grateful to the present leadership of the government of Bangladesh for all the cooperation so we don't have much problem there," he stated.
However, Rijiju said that there are certain elements in Bangladesh who are involved in anti-India activities but the present regime is doing everything at its command to stop that.