Allow people to use demonetised notes till Dec 30: Pinarayi

Thiruvananthapuram: In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he demonetised the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday said those denominations should be made legal tender till December 30 to lessen the hardship common people are facing.

"None of us is against fighting black money, but now the situation is such that many have genuine doubts if this policy was known to 'some' and the hardships now being faced by the common man has reached dangerous levels," Vijayan said.

"A way out is to ensure that these denominations that have been pulled out be reinstated as legal tender till December 30th," the Chief Minister said to reporters here, before leaving to Delhi.

"Modi was out of the country and he flew out soon after announcing this irrational decision. I am now going to Delhi and will make all attempts to meet Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to talk about all the difficulties people are facing," added Vijayan.

"This irrational decision without making any safeguards has left thousands of people in our state in dire state. Even after five days, there is no end to the problems, instead it's increasing day by day," Vijayan said.

Taking into account the sufferings of the people who are hard pressed for money, Vijayan added, "Except VAT and excise duties, all other payments due to the government can be made without fine till the end of this month".