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Five years of demonetisation: A quick look at how it affected the economy

Despite the government’s attempts to encourage payment digitization and discourage cash transactions, cash transactions in the country continue to rise gradually.

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Five years of demonetisation

By: Kritika Bobal

It was a normal day for everyone until 8:15 p.m. when Prime Minister Narendra Modi jolted the country by stripping a monetary unit of its legal tender status. PM Modi stated that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes—86 percent of all currency notes in circulation in terms of value—would be pulled from the circulation and will no longer be accepted as legal tender after 12 a.m.

In compensation for the demonetised banknotes, it also announced the issuance of new 500 and 2,000 currency notes. This sudden announcement not only tremored the souls of the poor but also affected the middle-class people, mainly the businessmen.

The country’s unorganized sector, which includes small-scale companies and micro home units, collapsed overnight. Millions of such units that relied on real currency watched their banknotes degrade into mere scraps of paper overnight. To compensate for the loss incurred during the fiscal term, the organized sector was forced to lay off workers.

The objective of demonetisation was to eradicate black money, reduce the use of fake notes, increasing digitization, and ease the transition of India’s non-formal sector into a formal sector. However, the idea backfired substantially in the days that followed, as persistent cash shortages disrupted people’s daily lives.

Five years of demonetization: A quick look at how it affected the economy

People who wanted to exchange their money had to wait in long queues, and numerous people died around the nation. The crisis continued, and individuals in misery waited for hours in front of banks, even after December 30, 2016, the final day the RBI allowed residents to deposit their old notes.

Despite fears of an economic disaster hovering over the country in recent years, the economy has managed to leapfrog in recent years, five years after the government declared demonetisation. Despite the government’s attempts to encourage payment digitization and discourage cash transactions, cash transactions in the country continue to rise gradually. Similarly, the country’s cash-to-GDP ratio fell from 12 percent as a result of demonetization but recovered in later years.

Read Also: Punjab CM: Petrol price cut by Rs 10, diesel by Rs 5

According to National Crime Records Bureau statistics, the number of reported instances for making Fake Indian Currency Notes increased 190.5 percent from 2019 to 2020, an 11.7 percent increase. Similarly, there was an 11.7 percent rise in occurrences of counterfeit cash notes in 2019 compared to 2018.

In Tamil Nadu, a 65-year-old visually impaired man has filed a petition with the Krishnagiri district collector’s office, requesting to exchange his old demonetized notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, amounting to Rs. 65,000 in total. He stated that the money was his life savings, which he earned via begging.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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