Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.

Find out how to listen to other BBC stations

Episode details

World Service,24 Jun 2017,26 mins

India's Cash Gamble: Has it Paid Off?

In the Balance

Available for over a year

Has the shock decision to scrap almost all of India's cash been a success or a failure? Last November's withdrawal of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes caused chaos for millions of people and businesses, but now the dust has settled, is there any evidence it was effective in tackling corruption and curbing the black economy? Have those hardest hit by the demonetisation now managed to recover? What impact, if any, has the move had on India's economy? And in a society where cash is king, are there any signs people have been pushed towards using bank cards or mobile payments? Contributors Jayati Ghosh, professor of economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University, in New Delhi Economist Lord Meghnad Desai Gaurav Daga, owner of Oswal Cable Products in New Delhi Piritta Sorsa, head of economics research on India at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (Picture: A man holds old Indian notes at a protest against demonetisation in Bangalore. Credit: Kiran Manjunath, Getty Images)

Programme Website
More episodes