Bhubaneswar: With banks remaining closed for two days across country in the wake of Centre’s move to demonetise `500 and `1000 currency notes, the Biju Janata Dal government in the state expressed its concern over the delay in timely payments in pro-poor schemes.
“I am concerned about MGNREGS and other pro-poor schemes where payments are made through banks,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urging Centre to take required steps in this regard and ensure beneficiaries of these schemes are not affected due to the move.
Patnaik pointed out that “three days’ time to change old currency in hospitals is too short for critical patients and costly treatment” and sought extension of the time limit.
Besides, he advised the Centre to reform the institutional and legal framework, seek better tax compliance and set up trade regimes to ensure “big fish” do not jump tax net.
On the other hand, the BJD supremo hailed the Prime Minister’s move as a ‘bold initiative’. “I am happy that the Union Government has shown the political will to implement it,” Patnaik said.
More than 80 per cent of cash in circulation has been withdrawn and hence the Union Government should take all efforts to ensure a smooth transition so that common people, small traders, wage earners and those living in remote areas who do not have access to banks do not suffer.
“My government is committed to supporting all measures taken towards providing transparency in governance,” he said.
Meanwhile, leader of Opposition in Orissa Assembly Narasingha Mishra came down heavily on the Centre over the move stating it is like a ‘devil preaching’. “If the government has withdrawn `500 and `1000 currency notes to check corruption and black money there was no need to introduce `2000 denomination notes,” Mishra averred.
The common people are severely affected by the sudden move and people will continue to suffer for two more months. Accusing the BJP government of articulating a hidden agenda behind such move, Mishra said the Centre should have taken precautionary measures. BJP leaders, however, rubbished the allegation of Congress. BJP legislature party chief KV Singh Deo said, “Some sections of people may have initial difficulties, but the move has been implemented in the larger interests of the country. The new `2000 currency notes will have a nano chip and other uniqueness which will prevent it from being duplicated.” He advised the LoP to clarify what he thinks by hidden agenda being pursued by the Centre.
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