A day after the government cancelled the exchange of demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes in public banks almost a month ahead of the originally stated deadline, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that there was very little criticism of the scheme among people.
Speaking at a function on the occasion of Constitution Day, Modi said that people need to move towards digital currency, saying that the use of mobile-based banking technology was as easy as using instant messaging services like WhatApp.
Here are the key quotes from his speech on Friday:
- “These days the country is fighting a big battle against corruption and black money. The nation’s regular citizen is a soldier in this battle. The citizen feels that in the last 70 years the people who have misused these laws have drowned the country in corruption.”
- “Constitution and laws have been misused. There is very little criticism about the government’s decision. There are many others who are criticising it saying that the government wasn’t fully prepared. I don’t think it is an issue that the government isn’t prepared. “
- “Such people are upset that the government didn’t give them time to prepare. The sadness is that even if they had been given 72 hours then they would have said there’s no one like Modi. Such a big step has been taken.”
- “There is only one expectation: those who forsee a bright future for the nation, help solve the problems of the common man.”
- “After getting success in this maha-yagna, we will raise India as a mighty nation before the world. So that when the world is surveyed for corruption, in which we normally have to bow our heads in shame. we can soon raise our heads with pride. For this, decisions need to be taken.”
- “Digital currency: Everyone has a right to their money, everyone has a right to use their money and no one is stopping them. But it is not necessary that this can be done only with a note in hand. Now there are many other options available. With your mobile phone you can now send your money anywhere. You have a right over every paisa.”
- “In a nation that has 65 percent of the population are youth under the age of 35, in a nation that has over 100 mobile phones, in a nation that has every trading facility available on a mobile phone and every bank has its own app. So why don’t we inspire people, why don’t we educate people and this is not a difficult task.”
- “Today when we WhatsApp, where we went to learn how to use it in some IT or engineering college? Even an uneducated person knows how to read WhatsApp and forward on WhatsApp. The ease with which we use WhatsApp forwards we can do shopping on our mobile.”
- “For the nation’s bright future we need to move towards digital currency and 500 cities in the India can implement it if they want.”
- “You will be surprised that the biggest gainer from the decision on November 8. Municipalities. After November 8, Rs 13,500 flowed into their coffers. Who will this benefit? It will build roads, provide electricity and taps will spring up.”
- “Society is moving in a revolutionary direction. And because of that, there are many tasks that have to be done in national interest keeping aside political considerations. The Constitution inspires us to do this.”
Watch the full speech here: