Slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "disappointing" address, Congress today wondered why he did not mention how many "lakhs of crores" of black money the government managed to wipe out through demonetisation in the last 50 days.
Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said demonetisation has paralysed the economy but the Prime Minister in his address did not answer many crucial questions.
"Mr Prime Minister, people wanted to know how many lakhs of crores of black money did you wipe out in the last 50 days? Why didn't you speak about it," he asked.
More From This Section
The Congress once again asked Modi to withdraw the restrictions imposed on withdrawals post demonetisation.
Surjewala said the "so-called cleansing drive took 125
lives of innocent Indians and put crores of people in severe difficulties. But the Prime Minister did not uttter a single word for those who died."
He said the 50 days the Prime Minister had asked for were over but there was no announcement on when he will take back the restrictions on withdrwal of cash.
"The entire country was listening with curosity that the Prime Minister will lift the restrictions on withdrwal of their hard earned money from banks. But people will still have to reel under this economic anarchy.
"The Prime Minister said it will take time to improve the banking system in the new year. It means he belives in hitting headlines and not giving deadlines," the Congress spokesperson added.
Coming down hard on the Prime Minister, Surjewala said demonetisation has taken away the jobs, hit the farmers and traders and made life difficult for every section of the society but there was no word of relief for them in PM's address.
"Who benefited from demonetisation. Only a handful of 50 people who are Modiji's friend. This is why he said yesterday that the deposits of the people in the banks would be used for strengthening banking system and infrastructure.
The Congress Spokesperson said National Food Security Act already has special focus on women and entitles them to receive "maternity benefit of not less than Rs 6,000 and that there was nothing new in PM's announcement of the financial assistance for them".