Congress to gherao RBI office in Shillong

***MPCC president DD Lapang, AICC coordinator in-charge Meghalaya Takam Sanjoy and chief minister Mukul Sangma briefing newsmen on Monday***

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, JAN 17: As the result of interference of the BJP led NDA coalition government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his demonetisation of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes, the Congress said statutory body like the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) power and integrity has been diluted and it will now be susceptible to corruption.

“Is it the RBI Governor or Prime Minister Modi taking the decision as the RBI’s governor action poses a threat to the nation,” Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said on Tuesday.

Speaking to newsmen after a meeting of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Party (MPCC) chaired by AICC coordinator in-charge Meghalaya Takam Sanjoy, Sangma said, “The RBI’s integrity ,which is crucial, has been diluted (by Modi).”

The Congress is also going to gherao the RBI Shillong office on Wednesday to express its resentment against the grossly mishandled demonetisation by the Modi government.

The party alleged RBI has failed to perform its statutory duty towards the citizens of the country and instead has become a symbol of government interference in its functioning of statutory and constitutional bodies.

“The RBI is becoming more vulnerable to corruption otherwise why would its officials be arrested,” Sanjoy said while referring to the recent arrest of RBI officials for their alleged involvement in conversion of demonetized currency.

Apart from RBI, the chief minister also predicted that institutions like Income Tax department, banks and others will be more corrupted.

He said these Institutions have become vulnerable to corruption because of demonetisation and warned, “It is a dangerous for the nation as there will be more corruption in the days to come.”

He added the objective of demonetisation) is not to fight black money, corruption, terrorism and fake notes in circulation.

Sanjoy also claimed that the economy of the country has slowed down due to demonetization and informed, “Prior to November 8, 2016, the GDP was anticipated to be at 8% and today it has come down to 6.6% after demonetisation. We are afraid that the GDP will further go down to not less than 5% by end of this month.”

Apart from Meghalaya, nationwide protest will be held at 33 RBI offices across the country.