File picture: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan | Photo Credit: IANS

Shajapur: In a shocking claim, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday alleged that Rs 2,000 notes were vanishing from the market. Addressing a farmers' convention in Shajapur, which is a town in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan said, "The currency worth Rs 15,00,000 crore was in circulation before demonetisation. After this exercise (demonetisation), the currency in circulation increased to Rs 16,50,000 crore. But notes of Rs 2,000 are missing from the market." He alleged that there was a "conspiracy" behind it.

News agency PTI reported that the MP CM was probably referring to reports which said that ATMs were running out of cash at some places in the state. "Where these notes of Rs 2,000 denomination are going, who are keeping them out of circulation? Who are the persons creating a shortfall of cash? This is a conspiracy to create problems. The government will act tough on this," Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, adding that he had raised the issue with the Union Government.

The CM further said that farmers can contact the control room at his official residence in case they face any agrarian problem. The number on which farmers can call is 0755-2540500.

The MP CM further hit out at opposition Congress, saying, "Last year, farmers were instigated in a planned manner....The Congress wants to set the state on fire." Notably, there was a violent farmers' agitation in June 2017 in western Madhya Pradesh over crop prices and loan waiver. "There should be no politics when it comes to the interests of farmers," Chouhan said.