Ex-principal secretary Nripendra Mishra supports PM Modi's decision of withdrawing Rs 2,000 notes

Nripendra Mishra was the principal secretary when Prime Minister announced demonetisation on November 8, 2016. More than six and half years after that decision, Modi on Friday (May 19, 2023) announced to withdraw Rs 2,000 currency notes. In an interview with Zee News, Mishra fully supported his ex-boss' decision and called it a decision taken in 'public interest'. 

Mishra said that the introduction of the note was a temporary arrangement and the discontinuation of it would discourage the corrupt from hoarding black money and evading tax.

"PM Modi's thinking was from the very beginning that Rs 2,000 notes were a temporary arrangement in special circumstances," Mishra told Zee News.

Mishra said that the continuation of the note didn't bode well for the poor.

"Not practical for transactions especially for the poor. Keeping this note in circulation for a long time would have encouraged black money and tax evasion.

"That's why the decision to withdraw ₹ 2,000 note is in public interest and in the interest of the country," said Mishra.