This book examines the very concept, history, critique, and impact on the overall economy and black money, the move toward less-cash economy and digitalization, government-RBI relations, along with an assessment of two years of demonetization. Demonetization has created a severe macroeconomic shock. The measure was humungous in scale and led to a sharp contraction in money supply for a short period. Although demonetization's proponents have contended that it would cleanse the economy of black money and make transactions more formal and digital, its implementation certainly could have been better. The effects of demonetization on the Indian economy are debatable and will vary by sector. Its effectiveness will be talked about and studied by economists and policy makers for decades to come. Demonetization has made only a minor dent in the GDP. It has helped to bring more people into the tax net and has reduced the size of the informal economy. With the increased use of digital payments, economic transactions become recorded. This book examines the very concept, history, critique, and impact on the overall economy and black money, the move toward less-cash economy and digitalization, government-RBI relations, along with an assessment of two years of demonetization. It would be prudent for the government to focus more on proper institutional reforms to address the issues originating from demonetization.

On the night of 8 November 2016, at 8:15 pm, India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, announced in a televised broadcast to the nation that with effect from midnight, currency notes of denominations Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 would no longer be legal tender. In one stroke, this involved the de-recognition of over 86 per cent of the value of Indian currency in circulation with only four hours’ notice. This important book provides a quick and concise explanation of the goals, implications, initial effects and the political economy of this major demonetisation move by the Government of India. It clarifies key concepts and offers astute economic analysis to guide the reader through the various claims, arguments and critiques that have been made; highlights the complexities of the processes that have been unleashed; and examines the likely outcomes in the long term as well as those that are immediately evident. Timely and lucid, this book will interest students and researchers in the fields of economics, finance, management, law, politics and governance as well as policy makers, legislators, civil society activists and the media.

This book examines the very concept, history, critique, and impact on the overall economy and black money, the move toward less-cash economy and digitalization, government–RBI relations, along with an assessment of two years of demonetization. Demonetization has created a severe macroeconomic shock. The measure was humungous in scale and led to a sharp contraction in money supply for a short period. Although demonetization’s proponents have contended that it would cleanse the economy of black money and make transactions more formal and digital, its implementation certainly could have been better. The effects of demonetization on the Indian economy are debatable and will vary by sector. Its effectiveness will be talked about and studied by economists and policy makers for decades to come. Demonetization has made only a minor dent in the GDP. It has helped to bring more people into the tax net and has reduced the size of the informal economy. With the increased use of digital payments, economic transactions become recorded. This book examines the very concept, history, critique, and impact on the overall economy and black money, the move toward less-cash economy and digitalization, government–RBI relations, along with an assessment of two years of demonetization. It would be prudent for the government to focus more on proper institutional reforms to address the issues originating from demonetization.

8 November 2016 was a black swan event in Indian history. At one stroke, 86 per cent of the currency in circulation was demonetized, causing confusion, chaos and endless misery to the common Indian. While the Modi government claimed that it was the silver bullet that India needed to eliminate many of its longstanding problems such as black money, corruption, tax evasion and terror funding, the months that followed proved it otherwise. The return of 99.7 per cent of the banned 500 rupee and 1,000-rupee notes showed that the RBI's idea of Demonetization Dividend was nothing but a mirage. In the process, livelihoods of millions in the informal sector were destroyed, causing enormous distress to farmers and, traders and forcing many micro, small and medium businesses into bankruptcy. One of India's most respected bankers, Meera H. Sanyal provides the most comprehensive analysis of the policy, its execution and pitfalls. The Big Reverse presents unprecedented insights backed by data, history and research. And as a result, answers the questions that still continue to haunt Indians, on the what, why and how of demonetization.

In this book, the author critically examines the standard explanations for the causes and consequences of black income generation. His analysis lays bare the pernicious effects of black income on the macroeconomy and the resultant inefficiency, waste in the economy and society.

A ship carrying 2 containers worth Rs.5000 crores in 500- and 1000-rupee notes, docks in the dark of night at Kochi. The money is quickly distributed to members of a minority community using a network of 100 Chartered accountants. The bulk of the money finds its way back into fake firms, shell corporations and charities with the sole aim of destabilizing the country.A DIABOLICAL PLAN BY THE FREEDOM PARTY TO WEAKEN INDIAGreedy politicians of the Freedom Party want to ensure that the opposition can never come to power. Pander to the largest minority, enrich them beyond their expectations and ensure they will be with the party. To this end, a plan is hatched to print high denomination money and try and increase the velocity of money, thereby creating the illusion of growth. A compromised Finance Minister is forced to buy paper from the same sources as India's rival Pakistan. Their intelligence wing gets hold of the security threads being used in Indian notes through honey trapping and comes up with notes that are almost as good as the real ones.The fake money brought in slowly starts moving around the country, driving up inflation and real estate prices, mixing with good notes. Because of a series of scams, the government gets voted out and a single party (People's Voice) gets absolute majority. The new party responds to a terrorist attack with a surgical strike deep in the enemy territory.Pakistan decides to retaliate by flooding India with fake currency, by tripling its fake currency production. India responds by demonetizing the 500- and 1000-rupee notes and printing new notes of a different size. But despite the best attempts, a porous border with Nepal and Bangladesh results in a significant amount of the fake currency entering Indian banks. When the notes were tallied, instead of 87% of printed notes coming back to the Reserve Bank, 113% comes!The counterfeit money is used to spawn different types of nefarious activities including a plot to assassinate the newly elected Prime Minister. Will the Intelligence Bureau track the assassin and protect the PM?

Demonetization and Black Economy gives a blow-by-blow account of what happened and what were it s effects. This is a powerful book by India's foremost expert on black economy and public finance. The book is a no-holds-barred look into what happens to a nation when its own government devalues its currency. Also find out what were the social, political and economic costs to the nation. This is a hardhitting look at demonetization, and why it could be one of the worst mistakes made by an Indian government with serious social, political and economic consequences. --