It has been more than a fortnight since the ban on old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes was announced. For the common man, it meant inconvenience, for small traders it meant being unable to buy stocks, for daily labourers it translated into a nightmare, farmers were left stranded with their crops unable to pay for the fertilisers and there were those who had to run from pillar to the post to arrange money for hospitalisation. But all this inconvenience would be washed away only if the the 'big fishes' or 'fat cats' - those with black money - be caught and appropriate punishment meted out. Otherwise it will be the long queues, the hardships and the loss of business and jobs that will remain an indelible memory. To this end, we ask six crucial questions that every citizen should think about.
Will there be a windfall gain for the government?
What will happen with the banks?
Is there going to be a budget bonanza?
Will black money be wiped out?
In the future how will black money generation be curtailed?
How long will the disruption continue?