The BJP will celebrate November 8, the first anniversary of demonetisation, as 'anti black money' day, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today.
On November 8, 2016, the government made Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes illegal tender that sucked out 86% of the currency in one go. The opposition had called it the 'scam of the century' while continuing to protest against the move that the govt said was implemented to curb black money and terror funding.
Set to complete its first year in less than two weeks, opposition said it will observe November 8 as 'Black Day' and would hold protests across the country to highlight its "ill-effects" on the economy.
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Announcing the decision at a joint press conference of the opposition coordination committee on Tuesday, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "This particular announcement made on November 8 is the scam of the century, which is why we are observing this as Black Day."
He described the note-ban decision as the NDA government's "most ill-conceived and hasty decision".
"One can say this is a scam of the century. Eighteen political parties have decided to hold protests in every state in their capacity against the government's decision which caused hardship to the people. Never ever in the world people have died because of a government policy," Azad said.
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"History of modern India will remember the 'scam' which took place on November 8. We had raised a number of questions and our doubts regarding the policy but the government could not answer or erase our doubts," TMC leader Derek O'Brien, said.
The Aam Aadmi Party has said it will observe the day as the 'day of betrayel' and will hold protests across the country.
AAP leader Sanjay Singh alleged the economy has been "crippled" by the "erratic" decisions of the Modi government.
(With inputs from agencies)
