Narendra Modi government’s attempts to give a relief to general public from its demonetization bid seems to be backfired today. After over 10-days of public miseries chaotic scenes continuing at banks and ATMs as people queued up for hours to get valid currency notes to meet their daily expenses, besides uproar in Parliament.
The government received a setback in Supreme Court and also critical observations in Calcutta High Court. The Supreme Court today refused to stay, for now, the petitions against demonetization pending before different High Courts and subordinate courts.
“It indicates the magnitude of the problem is serious. People are going to the High Courts for relief. This is a serious issue. Let them go,” said a bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice Anil R. Dave as Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi urged the apex court to stay all such proceeding in High Courts and subordinate courts. Adjourning the matter for November 25, the court asked the Attorney General to move transfer petitions, which the court will consider.
On the other hand, the Calcutta High Court comes down heavily on the central government today on the issue of demonetization. It found fault stating that there was lack of homework on part of the government and that it had not put enough brain-work to facilitate easy implementation of the policy.
The court, while hearing a public interest litigation filed against the newly implemented policy, observed that the court cannot change the government’s policy, but said that there was lack of sincerity on part of the bank officials. Judge A K Gangulay has asked the government to cease the situation by Nov 25 and ensure the private hospitals to honour old notes.
Meanwhile, the finance ministry, which directed banks to use indelible ink marks during exchange of old cash notes, to avoid multiple exchanges by a same person, is now upset with the strong objection raised by the Election Commission of India. The Commission today asked the government to stop using indelible ink.
As Commission is busy in holding by polls in five states tomorrow, has expressed fears that use of same ink by banks may create confusion as such marks are inevitable at polling booths after exercise of vote..
