UP Guv likens demonetisation hardships to 'labour pains'; Retired Army man dies while standing in queue at bank

Mathura: The Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik today appeared to liken the hardship arising out of demonetisation to "labour pains", suggesting that the outcome of the Centre's move would be as "joyful" as the birth of a baby. Naik made the comments when asked by reporters about the cash crunch being faced by people in the aftermath of the government's move to demonetise 500 and 1,000 rupee notes. Drawing the bizarre analogy, Naik said that just as a pregnant woman suffers labour pains which have a joyful outcome, demonetisation would similarly have a good result as it would control economic corruption. "It is bold and courageous step that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken to eliminate black money," Naik told reporters today. He said the step would also pave the way for eliminating fake currency. "It would prevent circulation of fake currency coming from foreign countries who were trying to jeopardise our economy", he replied to a question. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reviewed demonetisation exercise. MP: Retired Army man dies while standing in queue at bank In the middle of all this in Bhind (MP), a 70-year-old retired Army man died here today while standing in a long queue at a bank to get demonetised notes exchanged, a senior official said. Babulal was rushed to the district hospital where he was declared dead. It appears that Babulal died of cardiac arrest, said Civil Surgeon K K Dixit of the district hospital. The exact reason of his death will be known after the postmortem report, he added. Babulal was standing in the queue of a State Bank of India's branch housed at the Collectorate, he collapsed and died, Bhind District Collector Ilayaraja T said. According to sources, Babulal was visiting the bank for last two-three days to get the demonetised notes exchanged. No toll in Maharashtra till Nov 24: The Maharashtra government today extended the toll suspension on the state roads, including in Mumbai, till November 24 midnight. "Toll suspension is extended in Maharashtra, including in Mumbai, till November 24 midnight," a statement from the Chief Minister's Office said. The state government had taken the decision to withdraw levy of toll on the state roads and highways after the Centre decided to demonetise the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes on November 8. The toll suspension on all the state roads was given till November 11 for the first time, which was later extended to November 14 and then, till November 18.