Vowing to carry forward the war against corruption and black money post-demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the government will soon operationalise a strong law to effectively deal with ‘benami’ properties and this was just the beginning.
He also announced a “Christmas gift” for those using mobile banking and making digital payments. Under the 100-day scheme, 15,000 people will get Rs. 1,000 each for each day.
The bumper draw for the “Lucky Grahak Scheme” with rewards in crores, will be held on April 14, the birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, PM Modi said.
Traders adopting digital payment methods will get a tax rebate under the Digi-Dhan Vyapar Yojana scheme. The prime minister also elucidated why RBI has been frequently updating and issuing fresh guidelines. “Government is taking regular feedback from people and it is alright to make changes according to it,” he said.
Defending his frequent change of rules, he said “Another issue which comes up is this. Why are rules changed time and again? This government is for the sake of the people. The government continuously endeavours to take a feedback from them.”
“What are the areas of difficulty for the people? What are the rules that are creating hindrances? And what are the possible solutions? The government, being a sensitive government, amends rules as required, keeping the convenience of the people as its foremost consideration, so that citizens are not subjected to hardships,” he said.
“I assure you that this is not the end. This is just the beginning in our fight against corruption. We have to win this war against corruption and black money. There is no question of stopping or going back in this fight,” he said.
The Prime Minister also lamented the logjam in Parliament that evoked displeasure from the President and the Vice President besides all-round public indignation and ire, saying he wanted a good discussion on this campaign as well as on political funding, had both Houses run properly.
He said some people who are spreading rumours that political parties enjoy all concessions and exemptions “are wrong and all are equal before law” and they have to abide by it.
“It was my earnest wish that the ongoing campaign against corruption and black money, including the realm of political parties and political funding, be discussed extensively in the Parliament. Had the House functioned properly, there would have been comprehensive deliberation.
