New Delhi, June 18

Funds parked by Indian individuals and firms in Swiss banks rose by 183 per cent to over Rs 20,700 crore in 2020 as compared to 2019, reported Switzerland’s central bank.

The huge jump as compared Rs 6,625 crore in Swiss banks at the end of 2019 triggered a demand from the Congress for a white paper from the government. Party’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala posted on Twitter an old video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi assuring action to retrieve black money. Deposits had crossed Rs 52,500 crore in 2006 and had subsequently declined except for a few years in 2011, 2013 and 2017, according to the Swiss National Bank data.

Congress spokesperson Gaurav Vallabh asked the government why it was hesitant to share the names of individuals who parked their money in Swiss banks over the last year? “While 97 per cent Indians have become poorer during the pandemic, some people have grabbed an opportunity in adversity. We demand that the government should issue a white paper,” Vallabh said. — TNS