PM highlights how discounts on digital payments will help in the long run

Amid staunch opposition over demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took to Twitter to highlight how the “short term pain” will pave the way for “long term gains” and insisted that farmers, traders and labourers stand to gain from this step.

In a series of tweets, Modi shared the benefits of demonetization and said the country has a “historic opportunity” to embrace increased cashless payments.

He specifically reached out to the youngsters, saying “My young friends, you are agents of change who will make India corruption free & ensure more cashless transactions.”

The tweets came amid strong attack by Opposition over his demonetization decision.

“I salute the people of India for wholeheartedly participating in this ongoing ‘Yagna’ against corruption, terrorism & black money,” Modi said.

“Together, we must ensure #IndiaDefeatsBlackMoney. This will empower the poor, neo-middle class, middle class & benefit future generations,” Modi added.

“I always said that the government’s measure will bring a degree of inconvenience but this short term pain will pave way for long term gains,” the Prime Minister added.

He said the decision has several gains for farmers, traders, labourers, “who are the economic backbone of our nation” and “no longer will the progress and prosperity of rural India be curtailed by corruption & black money. Our villages must get their due.”

He went on to add, “We also have a historic opportunity to embrace increased cashless payments & integrate latest technology in economic transactions.

In keeping with the transition, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced a host of measures, including discounts on digital payments on purchase of petrol, railway ticket and insurance policies, to incentivise cashless payments.

It also waived service tax for payments up to Rs 2,000 made through cards and decided to do away with transaction fee for payment to central government departments and PSUs.

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Related: Rail to Petrol: Complete list of ‘discounts’ you can avail if you go cashless

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Following the announcement, Modi shared the following images on his Twitter account, which list the measures and explain how they will benefit the people and economy in the long run.