Morung Express News
Kohima | November 8
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today observed Black Day for demonetisation at Congress Bhavan, Kohima.
"Demonetization is Modi-made-India’s economy disaster, affecting every citizen, and today economy experts have summed it up to the country’s GDP falling down to 3.7, amounting to about more than 44-45,00,000 crore," said K. Therie, NPCC president during the observation.
Despite the promises on development by the central government, in ground reality, 35-40 percent of the budgeted funds such as NRHM, SSA, MGNREGA and other centrally sponsored schemes for the state, have not been allotted, post demonetization, according to the NPCC president.
Farmers, entrepreneurs, business community, industries have been affected the most, he said.
"And to further destroy the economy of the nation, the ‘design-less GST’ was imposed at various levels…and this has confused the nation and the business community. Today, inflation cannot be controlled because of wrong policies of the BJP led government of India," alleged Therie, pointing out that exports and imports have shrunk.
While cooking gas, petrol, diesel prices have doubled in India, the international markets, petroleum prices have dropped by almost 60-70%, Therie maintained. He also questioned why the PM and Arun Jaitley have failed to bring down the prices of petrol and diesel while neighbouring nations like Bangladesh, Pakistan or Myanmar are paying petrol at the most Rs. 32 and diesel somewhere about Rs. 20.
GST passed in Assembly without understanding the basics
"People are made to pay double tax through GST, for example, they have to pay GST for material, then pay again for the finished/manufactured product. Most of the items are being charged 28% GST for the final product, people are made to pay 56% GST,” asserted Therie. In Nagaland, he added, people are made to pay multiple taxes both legal and illegal - GST, state government taxes, underground taxes etc. “Perhaps Nagaland citizens are paying almost 100% taxes. And our state govt is unable to do anything," he said, further accusing the Nagaland Government of being "voiceless and unfit to represent the people when they cannot protect life and property of their own subjects."
“I was shocked when GST was discussed, the finance minister did not present the GST in the state assembly. It was presented by another minister,” claimed Therie, who maintained that the Nagaland Government passed the GST in assembly without understanding its impact or basics.
Accusing the BJP as one of the greatest corrupted parties, Therie highlighted the plight of the public. He pointed out that Modi government had promised zero-balance account, however later in 3 months time, GoI had collected Rs.235 crore as penalties from SBI account holders for not maintaining minimum balance. "Who are these people? They are the poor ones- students and farmers.”
The NPCC president suggested the NPCC to urge AICC to move for joint parliamentary committee to probe into demonetization and corruption; demand the complete review of GST; corruption in corporate loan waiver; and inflation on petroleum products, cooking gas etc.
“Some of our friends still believe that if we are not close to the central govt, we will not be benefitted in development activities. This is what the BJP preaches and what the 60 MLAs of the state believe,” Therie said.
By 2019, Therie expressed that Modi will be overthrown and the Congress is the only political party whose ideology focused on secularism has competency to revive the economy.
Khriedi Theünuo, NPCC vice president meanwhile expressed that demonetisation and GST have brought untold miseries to the common people in the country. "Demonetization was hurried policy adopted by the BJP; it encouraged so many corruption while surrendering the old notes to the banks. It has brought down the legal currency circulation to 25%. People were made to suffer," said Theünuo.
Theünuo also condemned the RBI for providing extensions on special license or permits to some people under certain categories where they can exchange money, which he said encouraged corruption in the process of demonetization.
"One tax, one nation is not applicable here in Nagaland as there are different taxes. People are not saying anything because they are ignorant of what GST really is," said Theünuo viewing that cashless transaction will not work since Nagaland is not a developed state. “Infrastructures are yet to reach us where even drawing money from the ATM has become a struggle,” he added.
Speaking on the 'Demonetization Disaster', Capt G.K Zhimomi, general secretary NPCC and AICC state social media coordinator, pointed out that the move can be termed as the 'Scam of the Century.'
"Demonetization was a disaster of epic proportions. It shaved off 3 lakh crore from the Indian economy. Demonetization reduced India's GDP growth by 1.9% as predicted by Dr. Manmohan Singh," stated Capt Zhimomi.
