Rajya Sabha on Wednesday witnessed a strong debate on government’s demonetisation scheme. Anand Sharma ,Congress deputy leader in Rajya Sabha ,led the opposition’ charge.
“86% of the currency in the markets was 500/1000 notes, was scrapped by just one announcement. Was it all black?” Sharma asked.
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury also questioned the logic behind government’s decision and asked for a joint Parliamentary committee enquiry into the factors that led to the ongoing crisis.
“In the French revolution, they said if you don’t have bread, eat cake. Now we have Modi Antoinette. If you don’t have paper, pay by plastic,” said Yechury.
Yechury said that only three percent of the people have the access to plastic money in the country. He further added that the 80 percent of rural India is not covered under the banking system.
“The bulk of black money is not a stock, it is a flow. Those you are not stopping. The small fishes are dying while the crocodiles are enjoying,” he said.
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad requested the government to ask Prime Minister to attend the Rajya Sabha sessions and listen to the opposition parties.
BSP leader Mayawati also asked the PM to be presented in the discussion. “It seems like India has shutdown and many people have lost their lives due to this move. It would have been better if Prime Minister was present in the discussion,” she said.
Meanwhile, BJP said that the trouble caused by demonetisation is only temporary and people are ready to suffer as the decision has been taken to fight black money, corruption, drugs and terrorism.
“This is war on blackmoney, opposition should choose its side. People are saying it was sudden. Should people be warned to take precautions and move the money elsewhere and make necessary arrangements? Swachh means clean India and Swachh has to be mann se, tann se and dhan se,” Urban Devolopement minister Venkiah Naidu said.
