PANAJI
Terming the policy of demonetisation simply as 'avoidable', consulting editor of India Today Group, Rajdeep Sardesai on Saturday expressed concern over the kind of message this policy could send to the international stage.
He likened India's policy to that adopted by Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe and Libya under Muammar Gaddafi and rued that it could send a message to the world that India too is in times of financial emergency.
Sardesai was speaking at a networking event hosted in Panaji by Gera as a part of its 'L.I.N.T-Outdo' initiative.
The senior journalist questioned the rationale behind the move based on the pointers extended in its support by the administration; that it will benefit curb terror funding, black money and counterfeiting.
In a candid response to a question posed by Gera Chairman Kumar Gera, Sardesai offered, "People with black money will not have stashed it in their mattresses and have probably invested in assets. By now, hawala agents have probably increased their commission to 30 per cent to convert black money into white in such times."
Praising the political astuteness of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on one hand, Sardesai questioned why the ‘Big Bang PM’ preferred this policy to incremental reforms.
At his combative best, the seasoned journalist further wondered why the government demonetised both Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes at the same time despite being aware that they comprise 86 per cent of the cash currency market of the country.
Referring to the likelihood of the policy negatively impacting the upcoming Assembly polls in four states, Sardesai opined, "Demonetisation has demonised cash. Is the plan instead to cash out rivals at times of polls knowing that you already have a cash advantage?”
Speaking about the grassroot impact of the ongoing war on black money, he sought to point out that people are downsizing at a time when Indian economy is growing at the rate of seven per cent.
"The worst thing you can do in India is increase governance. This is a major setback to young entrepreneurs, who want India to move ahead," Sardesai argued while calling upon the government to address real pending issue instead.
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Warmongering gets TRP: Rajdeep
PANAJI: Aiming straight at Goa’s former CM and present Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s recent comments on withdrawal of India’s ‘no first-use’ nuclear policy, Sardesai stated, “Warmongering gets TRP. Nuclear policy isn’t a soft thing. One has to understand that Pakistan has nuclear warheads in the hands of people who are getting more radicalised.’
In this regard, Sardesai argued in support of subscription-driven model of TV news as opposed to the present ‘studio-centric’ advertisement-driven model which is inadvertently linked with TRP and sensationalism.
The senior journalist also made a passing reference to the possibility of a grand alliance of all opposition forces upsetting the ruling party in Goa at the upcoming polls. “Arithmetic can beat chemistry. BJP might find it difficult if AAP, Goa Forward and Congress join hands," he said.
