Describing demonetisation as a decision of the century, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that this would not only streamline the economy of India, but would also revolutionize the nation’s mindset and approach towards clean economic management. At the same time, he hastened to add that, to be precise, demonetization is a misnomer for the decision taken by the Union Government, because actually, it is the withdrawal of legal tender with reference to Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes and not “demonetization” as such. Addressing the inaugural function of the 22nd Conference of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), State Anti-Corruption Bureaus (ACBs), Vigilance Bureaus and Economic Offence Wings (EOWs) here today, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the decision announced by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on November 8, 2016 is motivated by his honesty and courage of conviction while those who oppose it are motivated by an attempt to sabotage it because they have less to show and more to hide.He said, in the long term, withdrawal of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes and the resulting fallout will not only enrich the bank deposits, but it will also bring about a change in our social behavior by helping to overcome the habit of hoarding black money and draining away the legitimate national exchequer.
Lauding the role of CBI, Dr Jitendra Singh said, in the last two years, the Union Government has ensured full independence to the functioning of CBI so that it can perform its professional work without any intimidation or political pressure. The rise in credibility of CBI, he said, is evident from the fact that even in small towns, for a petty crime also, people start demanding that the case should be handed over to none less than the CBI. Referring to Prime Minister’s announcement to set up an International Centre for Excellence in Investigation, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the country’s Investigation Agencies and Police Forces have very appreciably upgraded themselves to the new requirements and added that “Centralized Technology Vertical” (CTV) worth Rs. 100 crore will be set up for real-time access to CBI. In the times to come, Dr Jitendra Singh said, lot of time and expertise of CBI and other related agencies will be taken up in dealing with economic offences and cyber crime. For this, he said, what would be required is a multi-agency cooperation at the professional level and citizen -centric approach at the social level. Meanwhile, CBI’s drive against corruption will continue in order to achieve the Union Government’s goal of ‘zero tolerance’ on corruption, he added. On the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh handed over Indian Police Medals to distinguished Police officials for their outstanding performance. Director, CBI Shri Anil Sinha delivered the welcome address while Special Director CBI Shri R.K. Dutta proposed the vote of thanks. Also present were the Chief Vigilance Commissioner Shri K.V. Chowdary, Additional Director CBI Shri Y.C. Modi and senior officers from different Police services and States.