NAGPUR: Calling the seizure of Rs 35 crore in Rs 2,000 notes in Tamil Nadu as the ‘biggest scam’, former finance minister and Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Tuesday demanded a high-level investigation into the matter.
He also questioned the seizure of Rs 2,000 notes in a Delhi lawyer's chamber.
The Congress leader even said that the people’s problems post-demonetisation would not reduce any time soon despite the Modi government’s promises.
Mr Chidambaram also alleged that 91 people have died due to the note ban.
Referring to a cash seizure from mining baron Shekhar Reddy in Chennai three days ago, Mr Chidambaram expressed surprise over new notes of '2,000 and Rs 500 denominations being found in the raid.
“How is it that these people have received the new notes in such a (high) volume when others are still struggling? Is it that the new currency is going to these people directly from the printing press? This is the biggest scam in the country and a criminal investigation is needed. The government should explain the issue,” Mr Chidambaram said.
He also referred to a case in Delhi wherein a little-known lawyer was found with Rs 13.48 crore cash in new notes. Lashing out at the Modi government for making 11 crore people stand in queues before banks everyday after demonetisation, Mr Chidambaram said that the situation would not change for seven months at least.
Meanwhile, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi stepped up attack on Prime Minister, saying his vision of a cashless economy has rendered the poor “cashless”, robbing them of their hard-earned money.
