India to be a cashless society, says Prime Minister 

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined his controversial plan to make India a cashless society. Indians are already up in arms following his recent and sudden decision to ban the old 500 and 1,000 rupee banknotes. They ceased to be legal tender in India from the 9th of November, although the old 500-rupee note was replaced by an ｕpdated version. The government claimed the move was an effort to stop the banknotes being used to fund terrorism, as well as being a crackdown on ｃounterfeit money in India. The ban means 80 per cent of the ｃountry's currency has been withdrawn from circulation and business has been brought to a virtual standstill. It is very unpopular among most Indians.

Mr. Modi went a step further on Sunday when he called for a cashless society. He said in a televised speech: "I want to tell my small merchant brothers and sisters, this is the chance for you to enter the digital world." He added: "Learn the different ways you can use your bank acｃounts and Internet banking. Learn how to effectively use the apps of various banks on your phones. Learn how to run your business without cash. Learn about card payments and other electronic modes of payment….A cashless economy is secure. It is clean." He addressed India's more tech-savvy people by declaring that: "All the youth of India can do it very quickly, and within a month, the world can see a modern India."  

Article Source: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1611/161129-cashless-society.html
Image Source: http://finalwakeupcall.info/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/05/visa-paywave-olympics.jpg 

VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. Ban (v.) ~ officially or legally prohibit
2. Crackdown (n.) ~ severe measures to restrict or discourage undesirable or illegal people or behavior
3. Standstill (n.) ~ a situation or condition in which there is no movement or activity at all
4. Tech-savvy (adj.) ~ well informed about or proficient in the use of modern technology, especially computers 

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. What is your opinion on "Cashless Society"?
2. Which do you think is better, digital money or cash? Defend your choice.
3. Do you think that using digital money can lessen the occurence of theft and fraud? Explain your answer.