Demonetisation: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day

Demonetisation: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day Follow @merinews

17 November, 2016

In Parliament today, the opposition united on its relentless demand for a debate on demonetisation. The opposition in the Lok Sabha was demanding a debate under a rule that includes voting on the issue as well. The opposition's demand forced the Lok Sabha to be adjourned for the day as the government refused to accept it.

The Upper House, Rajya Sabha was also adjourned for the day amid protests by the opposition party leaders who were demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence in the House during the demonetisation debate.

In the Lok Sabha, Ananth Kumar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister said that the government was willing to debate the issue but under Rule 193, a rule that does not entail voting.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi attacked the Modi government over the demonetisation move.

"None of the Prime Minister's industrialist friends are seen toiling in long queues outside banks or ATMs for cash. Are you seeing any suit-boot person standing in line, these are just ordinary people," Gandhi said.

Opposition parties have moved 21 adjournment motions in the Lok Sabha. Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay informed the house that his party wanted to move an adjournment motion. He was supported by the Leader of the Congress party in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge who said that his party also wanted to move a similar motion.

The House also witnessed protests and sloganeering by opposition members, including members of Congress, TMC, AIADMK SP & RJD.

"We all want a discussion under the Rule 56 so that we can know what is the stand of all parties when they vote. Then everyone will participate," Kharge said.

Kumar said that while the government was ready to discuss the decision by the government, but under Rule 193 where there is no formal motion or voting.

But the opposition rejected this suggestion. As the opposition refused to relent, the Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned proceedings for the day.

The opposition has been claiming that the move was highly ill-planned and has even targeted the government for alleged leakage of information to a select number of people.