‘Havan’ for those who lost lives due to demonetisation

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, December 9

The Rashtriya Sewak Manch, a local social outfit, held a yajna today to pray for the peace of those persons who lost their lives due to hardships caused by the demonetisation move, particularly those persons who died while standing in queues at ATMs and banks.

The yajna was performed in the morning at the city’s Chandracharya chowk inter-crossing, with Sewak Manch activists and those opposed to the demonetisation move by the BJP-led Union Government, taking part in it.

Manch activists said about 90 persons had died across the country since November 8 as older and physically weak persons could not bear the physical stress of standing for hours in queues outside banks and ATMs.

The Manch demanded compensation of Rs 10 lakh and a government job to a family member of the deceased.

Rashtriya Sewak Manch office-bearers said a month had elapsed since the demonetisation policy came into effect. “Even after one month, serpentine queues are seen across the country with people in North India facing cold and foggy conditions. Despite tall claims being made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel, cash is being capped and not available in sufficient amount at most of the banks and ATMs,” said Anshul Shrikunj, president of the Mahanagar unit of the Congress.