RBI Fund Transfer: Sitharaman Responds To Rahul Gandhi's 'Chor' Jibe; Asks Him To Consult Expert

Responding to a question asked by a reporters, Sitharman also said that before speaking on RBI issues, Congress party must at least consult with its past Finance Ministers before levying any such accusations.

Sitharaman was responding to a question asked by reporters in New Delhi. (Image: ANI)

New Delhi: Hours after Rahul Gandhi accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government, especially the Finance Ministry, for stealing Reserve Bank of India's money in the name of fund transfer, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman gave it back to the former Congress President saying that people of the country has given him an apt answer but still he is doing the same things again. Speaking about on the issue of RBI fund transfer with media in the national capital, Sitharaman said, "Whenever Rahul Gandhi raises things like 'chor,chori,' one thing comes to my mind, he tried his best 'chor, chor,chori,' but public gave him befitting reply. What's the point of using the same words again?" Responding to a question asked by a reporter, Sitharman also said that before speaking on RBI issues, Congress party must at least consult with its past Finance Ministers before levying any such accusations. "Rahul Gandhi has become an expert in making baseless allegations and that is why I really do not care about what he says," the FM added. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader also spoke about various economic concerns prevailing in the country. On the issue of how government will use the funds given by RBI, Sitharaman said that Finance Ministry is still working on it and so she won't be able to answer that questions at the moment. FM also said that she has noticed the slowdown in automobile sector and she will soon speaking to industry players to chalk out a plan to bring it back on positive track. "Whatever be the size- small, medium, micro, nano or large entrepreneurs of this country, we want them to carry on with their business without a worry," FM said. Further speaking on RBI fund transfer, Sitharaman said: "This committee (Bimal Jalan Committee) is appointed by RBI, had experts, they gave a formula based on which the amount was arrived at, now any suggestions about credibility of RBI, therefore, for me seems a bit outlandish." Sitharaman also said questioning the credibility of the RBI, which had constituted the Bimal Jalan committee on determining the excess capital, is a 'worrying' sign. "The committee had eminent people on it and making any allegations like this is outlandish," Sitharaman said. "Any suggestion on the credibility of RBI seems a bit outlandish considering the committee was appointed by the RBI itself," she said, adding the government has not decided how to use the windfall from the RBI. According to some experts, government has accounted for Rs 90,000 crore surplus from RBI in the budget and the money can be used to prop up the sagging growth. RBI on Monday approved the transfer of record Rs 1.76 lakh crore dividend and surplus reserves to the government, boosting PM Modi-led regime's prospect to stimulate the slowing economy without widening fiscal deficit. Responding to the same, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took a pot shot at both Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. Hitting out at the government over the ongoing economic slowdown and RBI fund transfer, Gandhi said that both PM and FM are 'clueless' about solving the 'self-created economic disaster' and also accused them of 'stealing money' from the Central Bank. The Wayanad MP also said that the move was akin to stealing a Band-Aid from the dispensary and sticking it on a gunshot wound. "PM and FM are clueless about how to solve their self created economic disaster," he wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter. "Stealing from RBI won't work - it's like stealing a Band-Aid from the dispensary and sticking it on a gunshot wound," he said, using the hashtag '#RBILooted'.

PM & FM are clueless about how to solve their self created economic disaster.

Stealing from RBI won’t work - it’s like stealing a Band-Aid from the dispensary & sticking it on a gunshot wound. #RBILooted https://t.co/P7vEzWvTY3 — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 27, 2019

In a separate tweet, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala wondered whether the move was "fiscal prudence or fiscal hara-kiri". He also wondered if it was coincidence that the Rs 1.76 trillion borrowed by the RBI matches with the "missing amount" in the budget calculations. "Is it a sheer coincidence that the Rs 1.76 trillion borrowed by RBI matches with the 'Missing' amount in the Budget Calculations," he asked. "Is this fiscal prudence or fiscal hara-kiri? Will this Rs 1.76 trillion be used to save BJP's crony friends,"he also asked. The Congress leader attached a media report on "the mystery of the 'missing' Rs 1.7 trillion in India's budget". His party colleague and spokesperson Sanjay Jha said in a tweet, "Robbed Bank of India: RBI.