AAP targets PM over 'measly' black money recovery

Aam Aadmi Party today ridiculed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "tall claims" on black money following the recovery of Rs 3,770 crore under the one-time compliance window and asked him to own up his "monumental failure" in recovering Rs 80 lakh crore, as promised.

Taking a dig at Modi's pre-poll "promise" of depositing Rs 15 lakh in every Indian's bank account, AAP said that the NDA government should consider putting "Rs 18.62" instead due to the massive shortfall in recovery.

He referred to Modi's Lok Sabha election campaign speeches in which he had reportedly said that black money to the tune of Rs 80 lakh crore was stashed abroad and his government would bring it back in 100 days of coming to power.

Party spokesperson Raghav Chadhha said that the government lacked "political will" to recover black money and urged Modi to acknowledge his "monumental failure" in putting Rs 15 lakh in every bank account as promised during the 2014 poll campaign.

Terming it as a "damp squib", Chadhha sought to know the rationale behind government's new black money law (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 when existing laws were "stringent".

"The PM in his Independence Day speech had said Rs 6,500 crore of undisclosed foreign assets have been declared under the compliance window of the new law. During election campaign he had promised to bring back Rs 80 lakh crore stashed abroad. What explains the monumental failure in doing so?" Chadhha asked.

Chadhha said that the law is silent on domestic black money which he said makes up for more than 90 per cent of the total amount. "Only 10 per cent of the amount is stashed abroad."

"Despite tall claims, due to lack of political will various investigating agencies are not cooperating with the SIT on black money that was set up as per the Supreme Court order," he said.

Meanwhile, party leader Ashtosh questioned the prime minister's silence on the Dadri lynching issue and reiterated AAP's demand for the sacking of Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma.

"The PM has time to embrace (Mark) Zuckerberg in silicon valley but no time to utter a word on the Dadri incident. The country expects the PM to speak on the issue, wipe the family's tears.

"Since PM talks of 'sabka saath sabka vikas', Mahesh Sharmaji has no right to continue in the Union Cabinet after all these statements. Even today he has visited the village and done politics," he said.