Modi Firm on Currency Ban, Hints at More Steps Against Black Money

"There is no guarantee that no new measure will be introduced after December 30 to crack down on black money holders," Modi, who is on a tour of Japan, said.

“Some people are throwing old notes in Ganga river to escape action. I promise I will not spare anyone with unaccounted wealth and will fully back honest people," the PM said.

"I will check records since Independence. If I come across unaccounted cash, nobody will be spared," Modi said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal warned that the economy would collapse if the currency ban was not rolled back and alleged that the BJP, which is in power at the Centre, had already “warned its friends who took care of their black money".

"It means that those who were close to the BJP were aware of the government's announcement in advance. They already took care of their black money. And it is the common people who are facing all the trouble (due to demonetisation)," he added.

His West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee, too, demanded that the Modi government withdraw “this black political decision". Terming the move as anti-commoner, Banerjee said, “Markets across India are ruined and people are in pain".

The Congress trained its guns directly on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning his trip to Japan while “people and patients are suffering".

His comments came a day after party vice-president Rahul Gandhi lashed out at the Centre while standing in queue outside an SBI branch in Delhi’s Parliament Street.