( Post originally written on 07/06/2009)
The latest product of dishonesty which is teetering into the lives of thousands of innocent Indians is the influx of counterfeit currency notes in mainstream circulation. Counterfeits have been introduced into circulation in denominations of Rs. 1000 notes. You are likely to come across these new entrants in circulation at ATMs, bank cash counters and just about anywhere.
The latest product of dishonesty which is teetering into the lives of thousands of innocent Indians is the influx of counterfeit currency notes in mainstream circulation. Counterfeits have been introduced into circulation in denominations of Rs. 1000 notes. You are likely to come across these new entrants in circulation at ATMs, bank cash counters and just about anywhere.
There are ways to detect the fake currency but what appals me is the directive issued by the government stating that the person found in possession counterfeit money is liable to be interrogated, even arrested! You cannot question the bank or for that matter anybody in this world if you happen to come across fake currency. If the ATM tends counterfeit money, well its your fault that you chose to withdraw YOUR money, and not the bank's who accepted such money which in turn was given to you by the ATM. Whats more, don't even expect that your claim for recompensing the counterfeit money will be as much as even entertained by the RBI.
This is just one of the many inhuman, inconsiderate, cruel and 'anti-people' ways that our government has resorted to for tackling or rather covering up their foolhardy blunders even if that means tormenting the common man, whose votes have given them the authority to do what they are doing.
What does one expect from a government who instates in its cabinet a Home Minister who tells an MP - under threat for his life - that he cannot protect each and every person in this country. This statement is tantamount to blasphemy in a democracy. What the hell does P. Chidambaram propose to do in the allotted five years of his term as the Union Cabinet Minister of Home is what I'd like to know; if its not the safety of every individual, what is it? A government which harbours such an indifferent and lackadaisical attitude towards the security of the citizens is one which is surely elected by foolish voters. Being so large in numbers, we have forgotten to value the worth human life. That's the reason why the aforementioned statement has gone unnoticed, let alone invite a critique. I'd seriously like to know what the Home Ministry has on its agenda if its so convinced that protecting every individual in the country is something they cannot do, and something that are not even going to try. Its just like a doctor saying that he cannot treat every patient or like a teacher saying that he cannot teach every student.
And then you have to place your blind faith and trust in the government which you have elected just because you are living in the biggest democracy of the world!
~
~
