 "PM Narendra Modi speaking at a rally in Kushinagar (Photo: ANI Twitter account)")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today exhorted people for cashless transactions even as he hit out at the opposition parties for their anti-demonetisation pitch.
Addressing a public rally at Kushinagar district in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Modi stressed cashless transactions were as easy as people recharging their mobile phone.
He noted with the growing outreach of technology, the mobile handsets could be virtually transformed into a bank branch for the common man
Modi urged people to download banking apps on their mobile phones and transact cashless for purchasing goods and services.
Caiming the world had surged ahead in cashless economy, but India had lagged behind, he said now the country was determined for the change. "In times to come, people will realise the decision (demonetisation) was tough, but the future had indeed become bright."
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He even lifted aloft a newspaper ad and called upon people to cut the ad and paste it on the walls to create awareness in the community regarding cashless transactions.
Conceding people were facing troubles due to the scrapping of notes bearing 500 and 1,000 denominations, the PM maintained the tough measure was imperative for the fight against corruption and black money.
"I have always maintained this step would cause some hardships. But, the big people (rich) will face bigger troubles and small people (poor) will face smaller troubles,"he underlined.
To buttress his point of the demonetisation decision gaining international recognition and one in the right direction, he even referred to a report in the Chinese media that the drastic step was unimaginable in a democratic setup.
"Demonetisation was necessary for the long term welfare of the poor and root out the corruption and plunder of the last 70 years," Modi thundered drawing applause from the crowd.
Modi thanked people for their support and blessings towards demonetisation even in the face of bearing hardships and inconvenience.
"On one hand, we are waging a war to end the scourge of corruption and black money and on the other hand, the opposition is calling for 'Bharat Bandh'," he said taking a swipe at tomorrow’s Bandh call given by the opposition against demonetisation.
Earlier, Modi listed the various pro-farmers steps taken by the Centre, including crop insurance, cane arrears payment, soil testing, medical care etc.
He said those who never cared for the farmers, when they had to stand in long queues for days together to get urea for their fields during earlier regimes, were now making the shrill noises over inconvenience due to demonetisation.
