Logjam over debate on demonetisation in both Houses of Parliament

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 7

There was logjam over the demonetisation debate in Parliament on Wednesday, leading to disruptions and its adjournment, with the government and Opposition failing to reach an agreement over the rules for the discussion.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day as the Opposition did not allow the discussion to continue in the absence of the Prime Minister.                       

The Finance Minister’s assertions that conditions could not be put and that there was no precedent that the PM should be present in the House all the time failed to impress the opposition.                       

Meanwhile, BJP sources said there was no question of extending a hand to the Opposition or calling the rival parties for talks. Enough meetings had taken place and there was no question of any more such attempts, they said.

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Earlier, as soon as the Rajya Sabha met, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said 84 people had died since demonetisation was effected.

He asked, “Who is responsible for these deaths?” adding that the accountability should be fixed.

Azad said, “These 84 people included men, women and children, who died because of the poorly implemented scheme. Who is responsible for these deaths? If there is adequate money in banks, why are people not getting the cash?”

He said, “If the entire money is expected to come back, where is the black money?”

Replying to this, Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the Opposition was using “hathkandas” to stall the proceedings.

Jaitley said, “The government is ready for a discussion on the issue from day one, but the Opposition just wanted to speak in Zero Hour and grab the headlines.”

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said the PM had asked for 50 days to fix the problems arising due to demonetisation, but nothing seemed to have changed.

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha was also disrupted on the issue of demonetisation.

As the House met for Question Hour, Opposition members continued with the demand for a debate on the issue under Rule 184 that entailed voting.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said, “This is everyday drama. If you want to debate you can start the debate right away."

Protests, however, continued and the Opposition members raised anti-government slogans. Mahajan then adjourned the House. The Prime Minister came to the House, but left in five minutes.