Note ban was for rich to change black money to white: Rahul
Rewa (Madhya Pradesh), Sep 28: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on demonetisation, saying while the exercise forced innocent people to stand in serpentine queues, it helped the corrupt to convert their black money into white.
Addressing a gathering in Baikunthpur town of Rewa district in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress leader said: "Note ban was brought with a promise to purge the system of black money... The common man was made to stand in queues across the country. But the fact is that the sole purpose of imposing demonetisation was to facilitate conversion of black money into white."
He also dared the Prime Minister to disclose how much black money returned to the banking system.
Gandhi is on a two-day visit to poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. On Thursday, he visited Chitrakoot -- a religious town associated with Lord Rama -- in Satna district of the state where he offered prayers at the famous Kamta Nath temple.
Speaking at a public meeting in Chitrakoot, he had targeted Modi over the Rafale deal, saying the country's "chowkidar" (watchman) has committed "chori" (theft). He also held a road show while on his way to Rewa from Satna on Thursday night.
Sharpening his attack on Friday, the Congress President said: "As if note ban was not enough, now the government has brought 'Gabbar Singh Tax' (GST), which has hit the small traders hard, posing a serious threat to their livelihood. The money being collected in the name of GST is being used to fill the pockets of the likes of Anil Ambani."
Gandhi assured that with the return of the Congress party to power in the state, education and healthcare services will be put back on track and the government will work for every section of the society.
"Farmers' loans will be waived at the earliest and the youth with be provided jobs," he added.
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1,600 Indians travel to India on 5 Qatar Airways flights amid airspace curbs
Doha (PTI): Around 1,600 Indian nationals travelled to India on five Qatar Airways flights on Tuesday, even as the airline continues to operate limited services due to restrictions on Qatar's airspace, the Indian Embassy here said.
The flights included two services to Delhi and one each to Mumbai, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, the embassy said in a social media post.
"In total, about 1600 Indian nationals travelled on Qatar Airways flights today," it said.
The mission noted that Qatar's airspace remains largely closed and Qatar Airways is currently operating only limited, non-scheduled flights.
The airline has announced services to nine Indian destinations starting Wednesday, and passengers can make bookings through the Qatar Airways website, mobile application or authorised travel agents.
The embassy said it continues to facilitate temporary Saudi transit visas for stranded Indian nationals wishing to travel to India via Saudi Arabia by crossing the Salwa land border.
The mission will remain open on all days in the coming week to provide consular services, including issuance of passports, while its control room and helplines through phone, email and WhatsApp will continue to function on a 24/7 basis.
It urged the Indian community to follow instructions issued by Qatari authorities and exercise responsibility in sharing information to help maintain public safety and community stability.
The embassy and Indian community organisations have also collaborated to support members of the Indian fishermen community in Qatar by providing dry rations to those in need.
Tensions in West Asia continue to escalate following the US-Israel strikes on Iran since February 28.
