Sensitise people about benefits of demonetisation, Modi tells NDA MPs

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked NDA parliamentarians to reach out to people over the government's demonitisation move and explain to them decisions taken by the Reserve Bank of India and Finance Ministry to negate charges being levelled by the opposition, said informed sources.

Sources said a communication has been sent by the BJP parliamentary party, which Modi heads, to the MPs belonging to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), urging them to address gatherings, distribute pamplets and issue press releases on the demonitisation decision and make use of the information of the guidelines of the Finance Ministry.

BJP MPs have also been told informally to reach out to people in their constituencies during the coming weekend - November 19 and 20 - and address any concerns over demonetisation, convey to people that the decision was for their larger benefit and they were facing temporary difficulties in getting cash.

The government is facing repeated attacks from the opposition over its November 8 decision to demonitise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes aimed at tackling black money and corruption.

The opposition parties have said that the move has caused immense hardships to people as they have to stand in long queues outside banks and ATMs.