Doing everything possible to ensure middle class is not exploited and poor get their due: PM

Bhatinda, Punjab: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked the nation for standing by his decision to demonetise Rs 500/1000 notes despite the inconvenience caused.

Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Friday, the PM said, “Black money and corruption has looted the middle class and deprived poor of their rights. I want to give poor their rights.”

“I am doing everything possible to ensure the middle class is not exploited and the poor get their due,” he said.

Expressing gratitude to the people of the country for supporting the demonetisation drive, the PM said, “Corruption and black money are harming the country like termites...I fall short of words in conveying my thanks to people as they stood with me even when they had to face hardships.”

The Prime Minister also encouraged people to embrace digital payment methods to carry out day-to-day transactions.

“Turn your phone into your bank, turn it into your own wallet. Even if you don't have even one rupee in cash, today's technology is such that you can make payments in the markets, carry out business,” the PM said.

PM Modi also appealed to the youth of the country to help others understand how App-based payment networks work.

On his government's commitment towards developing social infrastructure, the PM said, “Social infrastructure is essential for the development of every nation; we need top quality schools and hospitals.”

“Whatever decisions we take when we are in power, we fulfill it during that period itself.

AIIMS here will benefit the local areas and this Government does not only stop at laying foundation stones, we complete all projects,” he said.

The 750-bed hospital and institute will be built at a cost of Rs 925 crore and will be spread over 200 acres.

Bathinda is the Lok Sabha constituency of Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

Earlier in the day the PM had launched a scathing attack on the Opposition for disrupting Parliament.

PM Modi said that only those who didn't get time to change their notes - as the demonetisation announcement was sudden - are the ones who are complaining.