Telangana Government is closely monitoring the situation arising out of the demonetisation move and has put in place appropriate measures to ensure that the economy of the state does not get derailed, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today said.
"Immediate steps have been taken to encourage cashless transactions. The assessments made by the Central Government institutions indicate that Telangana State stands first in the country in the number of cashless transactions," he said in the Legislative Assembly on the opening day of the winter session during a debate on demonetisation.
On a pilot basis, the State Government is making all out efforts to make Siddipet Assembly Constituency cashless, he said, adding that Ibrahimpur village of this segment has already been converted into a cashless village.
In the recently-held Collectors' Conference, the steps required to be taken towards promoting cashless transactions have been discussed in detail, the Chief Minister said.
The Collectors have indicated that efforts are being made to make a few villages in each district cashless within a short period of time.
The State Government has constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee to recommend policy measures with regard to cashless transactions.
To speed up implementation, a Task Force has been specially formed.
"The State Government will shortly launch TS Wallet in a manner, which will provide confidence to people in cashless transactions. The Government is taking all necessary measures for promoting cashless transactions in the State," the Chief Minister said.
Keeping in view the difficulties and inconvenience faced by the people following the demonetisation, the State Government is constantly holding discussions with the Central Government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The State Government is also suggesting remedial measures from time-to-time.
"As the Chief Minister of the State, I have personally met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 19th November in Delhi and explained to him the difficulties being faced by the people of the State. I also suggested remedial measures to be taken to minimise the hardships to people," he said.
"As per the information furnished by the RBI, an amount of Rs 19,109 crore cash has been supplied to the State. All over the State, the amount (scrapped Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes) deposited by people in banks is Rs 57,479 crore," the Chief Minister added.
Alleging that the demonetisation decision was
thoughtless and unplanned, Leader of Opposition (Congress) K Jana Reddy said common people, including the poor, farmers and small traders, have been facing a lot of inconvenience.
The farmers, who have been sanctioned Rabi loans, are not able get the money as rationing is followed in banks for cash disbursement, he alleged.
Observing that 90 per cent of financial transactions in the country are done in cash, he said people need to know English and also needed to be trained in electronic transactions.
Recalling that people faced severe difficulties for 42 days during the 'Sakala Janula Samme' (strike by all) agitation for separate Telangana, BJP floor leader, G Kishan Reddy, said the Centre's decision should be supported by all in the national interest.
Saying that no citizen would question any move to fight corruption, black money and terror, MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, however, asked whether demonetisation succeeded in checking black money as the money, which was in circulation prior to demonetisation returned to banks.
Many political parties, including BJP and Congress, accept monetary contributions, he said.
Intervening in the debate, the Chief Minister said it would be better if members confined to the subject of impact of monetisation on the state, avoiding any sweeping comments on the Centre.
Talking about the promotion of cashless transactions, Owaisi asked if enough cyber laws are in place to tackle cyber crime and also whether swiping machines are available.
Demonetisation had a crippling effect on the poor and common people in different walks of life, he alleged.
TDP member A Revant Reddy suggested that the government take steps to see that a 'min-bank' is set up in every village and swiping machines are freely distributed among other measures.
