Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is addressing the media on scrapping of Rs 500, 1000 notes.
Here are the highlights:- Must acknowledge that in recent years, as always PIB has been extremely effective in handling government communications and also acting as a powerful connect between media and government.
- Initial challenge was we had to re establish the credibility of a decision making process as long as Indian economy was concerned.
- For any government to function, the leadership is provided by PM and PMO and then different ministries have to act in accordance.
- Decisiveness is the hallmark of this government. Government is not scared to take risks.
- Despite decisiveness we have endeared our best to take as many decisions as possible through a large consensus.
- One decision was that there were sectors that needed to be opened up for economic growth.
- Making sure that state subsidies reach people and therefore rationalised, has been discussed. We implemented that.
- It has led to lot of savings, we are still in the process of executing our taxation changes.
- A lot is to be covered as far as GST is concerned.
- The recent decision of the government to cancel 500,1000 rupee notes, we are trying to ensure that at the requisite replacement is available with people. There is no need to rush in initial days.
- I indicated that the banking dept and RBI have taken all necessary steps to keep banks open till the extent necessary. Banks will be open on the weekends.
- It is only those with large amounts of undisclosed money who will have to face the consequences under existing laws.
- There will be an impact on small purchases for a few days, till there is adequacy of currency, but it is beneficial in long run.
- I've explained the advantages yesterday, but overall I do feel that not withstanding the constraints of global economy, we are doing reasonably well.
- This decision (scrapping of Rs 500/1000 notes) will impact the spending habits of people.
- There is no prohibition on any sector for dealing through cheques.
- There are some sectors which are cash intensive and therefore there could be some impact on them but over a period of time, it will work out on its own.
- Exchange limits are only for first 2 weeks, in any case whether agricultural transaction is dealt with cash or not, it would be tax free.
- We have been doing our best in order to increase penetration in insurance.
- Our effort is to implement GST from April 1. One issue of dual-control left to be sorted out, hopeful of a solution soon.
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