Centre keen on retrieving black money: Oscar Fernandes

Centre keen on retrieving black money: Oscar Fernandes

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Apr 10: “The union government is determined to obtain the black money deposited by Indians in Swiss banks,” said MP Oscar Fernandes during a programme called “Jago Sansand Jago” organized by the Udupi Consumers Forum on Friday. 

Providing more information regarding the matter, Mr. Fernandes said that the union government will have to retrieve this money according to Swiss laws. He said that people who talk about it now must ask themselves what they had done about it when they were in power, adding that the union government is now pursuing the matter because of the public interest involved. 

In response to a query, Mr. Fernandes said that incentives were given to those who informed the authorities about smuggling activities. The union finance ministry now plans to employ the same strategy and give incentives to those who provide information regarding the black money in Swiss banks, he said. 

In response to a question about bad roads, Mr. Fernandes said that the movement of lorries loaded with iron ore had damaged the roads badly; however, the iron ore export from New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) has reduced by 2 - 3 million tonnes. These issues will be discussed with the minister for road transport and highways and the railway minister, he assured. 

Mr. Fernandes said that he would give Rs 2.5 lakh from his local area development fund to renovate the Board School of Udupi. 

Shantharaj Aithaland, the trustee of the Udupi Consumers Forum, and P Rabindra Nayak, the chairman of Hanuman Transport Company, were present during the programme.