Demonetisation: LDF to intensify agitation
To mark 50 days of demonetisation.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ruling LDF has decided to organise a state-wide human chain on December 29 to protest against the demonetisation which had “wreaked havoc” with the lives of the people, especially the poor sections of society. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised on November 8 when he announced the demonetisation that the situation would be normalised in 50 days, that is by December 29. But there is no hope that things will be better after that date.
The LDF state committee on Monday decided to organise the human chain from Kasargod to Parassala at 5 p.m. A cross section of society, especially the daily wage earners, cashew, coir and agricultural workers, migrant workers and self-help groups were facing huge problems because of the delay in getting the wages. LDF convenor Vaikom Viswan said while Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes which constituted over 86 per cent of currency in circulation were withdrawn with just one announcement, the government had failed to take any steps to replace the currency. A month has passed and the people are still facing huge difficulties in managing their daily expenses, he added.
The LDF also decided to organise a state-wide campaign ahead of the human chain. On December 27 and 28, the squads of the LDF activists will carry out a house-to-house visit at the booth level to seek support for the human chain and other agitations against the demonetisation. When asked whether the Opposition parties would be taken on board, the LDF convenor said: “All those who support the stir are welcome to join. The Congress had backed out of the nationwide hartal against demonetisation,” he added.
Transport Minister A.K. Saseendran raised the KSRTC crisis issue at the LDF meeting. The LDF leadership suggested that the corporation could go for the loan option for disbursing salaries and pensions. It asked the government to help the corporation to find a solution. The LDF state committee passed a resolution against the action of the Madhya Pradesh police preventing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan from attending a function of the Malayali associations in Bhopal on Saturday. The incident exposed the fascist nature of the Sangh Parivar and how freedom of movement of people was being scuttled in the BJP ruled state, it said.