Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu asked the Centre to scrap the banknotes of Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 denomination to speed up digital payments on Sunday.
In November last year, PM Modi led government had introduced the Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes after announcing the demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes.
Naidu told,”It was I who first demanded abolition of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes. Now, they brought Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes but they too should be scrapped.”
“A staggering Rs 1,379 crore was sent out using the hawala route. I once asked the RBI after the demonetisation to send more money to AP. The RBI Deputy Governor told me money was ‘coming to AP but don’t know where it’s going’. Now, we know where the money is going,” said Chandrababu referring to the hawala racket that was busted by the Visakhapatnam police.
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” So many fake companies were created for these transactions. Some nondescript persons have done all this. Who is the role model for them,” asked Naidu, indirectly taking a dig at Y S Jaganmohan Reddy.
The Chief Minister remarked,”These people are tarnishing the image of AP. Who knows how many such rackets exist and who is the role model for them? We have to deal with them in a tough manner and protect the state’s image.”
The TDP Supremo said the former extended support to the NDA in the ensuing presidential election only because “he has no other option”.