GST, demonetisation done to benefit people: Venkaiah Naidu
Kolkata: Hailing the Centre's implementation of GST and demonetisation of higher value notes, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday said both the moves were made to benefit the common people and change the country's economy.
"With the GST, initially there was some pain. But in the larger picture the GST is going to revolutionise Indian banking system. As a result, the country's economy will change," Naidu said at the 11th Global Healthcare Summit organised by American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) here.
Naidu also said while some people have criticised demonetisation, the move taken on November 8, 2016, has ensured that all the undisclosed cash in the country comes back to the banks.
"I can say one thing about demonetisation or remonetisation that the money that was hidden under the bed or inside the bathrooms before has come back to the banks. The money has come to the bank with its address. Now it up to the Reserve Bank of India to decide, how much is white money and how much is black money," he observed.
The Vice President also praised the people of the country for putting up with the trouble with depositing their money after demonetisation and termed the situation as "short term pain for long term gain".
"The common people have a lot of common sense. They realised its impact. Otherwise standing in queues for 51 days for your own money is no joke. Any improvement in the system is for the benefit of the common people," he added
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
