Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, but said the "sudden" move would make it difficult for farmers and small traders to make transactions.
"It is a bold step taken by the Prime Minister. However the decision is astep taken hastily," he told reporters in Mandi.
"It has come as a setback for those who have marriages, for farmers and marginal traders. They will face problems in making immediate financial transactions," the Chief Minister claimed.
"I hail the bold decision and welcome the step taken to curb and stop the menace of black money and fight corruption," he said.
"Necessary arrangements and steps before demonetisation of currency notes could have been ensured to safeguard the interest of farmers, small traders, shopkeepers, daily-wagers and those having the denominations as cash-in-hand," he said.
Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat yesterday had said it was a big step towards reforms and no one expected it.
"It will have a huge impact on people who are hoarding black money. It is a historical step and we should cooperate on this issue by thinking above personal interests," he said.
Meanwhile, describing the move as a "master stroke", former chief minister and Leader of Opposition P K Dhumal said the parallel economy of black money that funds terrorist activists would be a thing of past.
Listing the initiatives taken to put an end to corruption and black money, he said the Centre has constituted a Special Investigation Team, ensured bank accounts through Jandhan Yojana and an income declaration scheme.
"The final move was making Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 invalid tenders," he added.
Terming it an revolutionary step MP Shanta Kumar said, "This step will narrow the gap between the rich and poor."
State BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti said the Prime Minister has given a new lease of life to the economy of the nation and the step will go a long way in curbing corruption and recover unaccounted money.
"The step is daring because discontinuation of the currency notes has dealt a heavy blow on the lobby financing the elections in states," former HP BJP President Suresh Bhardwaj said.
"It is estimated Rs 15,000 crore have been spent in Uttar Pradesh for the ensuing assembly elections. With the step people will choose a government without the influence of money," he claimed.
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