JD (U), Oppn critical over rise in Indian money in Swis

The NDA ally Janata Dal (United) on Friday expressed concern over the rise in Indian money in Swiss banks as the Opposition parties came down heavily on the Modi government asking what happened to the PM's promise of bringing back black money.

K C Tyagi, general secretary of JDU, said that it was expected that demonetisation, carried out by the BJP government in November 2016, would hit black money hard, but "the latest figures are a matter of grave concern".

Taking a swipe at the prime minister over it and reminding him of his previous statements, Congress president Rahul Gandhi in a series of tweets said that in 2014 Modi had said that he will bring back all the black money in Swiss banks “and put 15 lakh in each Indian's bank account”.

“2018, HE says: 50% jump in Swiss Bank deposits by Indians, is "WHITE" money. No "BLACK" in Swiss Banks! (sic)" Rahul tweeted, tagging a news report on the matter.

"Swiss Bank deposits fell during Dr Manmohan Singh’s time, only to rise to record levels under PM Modi. The current increase of 50.2 pc post-demonetisation, is the maximum since 2004," the AICC said on its Twitter handle.

Congress spokesperson R P N Singh asked, "what happened to Prime Minister Modi's promise of eradicating corruption and bringing back black money?"

CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said while Indian money in Swiss banks rose by 50% in 2017, the Centre wrote off the corporate world's unpaid loans worth lakhs and crores, and allowed them to flee after looting the public money.

"From falsifying history to making new promises, 'Jumlaman' has no time or intention to remember the tall promises he made in 2014...from depositing Rs 15 lakh in each bank account to making rupee stronger to doubling farmers' income, he has only insulted & humiliated us Indians #BlackDays,” Yechury tweeted.

CPI leader D Raja demanded an explanation from the Modi government on how such a rise of Indian money in the Swiss banks happened.