NEW DELHI /AMN
Rajya Sabha today took up discussion on demonetisation of currency on opening day of Winter Session. Opening the debate, Anand Sharma of the Congress said, as per official figures only a small fraction of Indian currency is fake.
He said, for the first time after Independence, the government gave a message to scrap the currency notes of 500 and 1,000 denominations. He wanted to know whether the government had visualised the problems to be faced by the common man.
Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mayawati of BSP wanted the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the discussion so that he can know the views of the entire House.
Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav of Samajwadi Party said never such a grave situation has arisen, not even during Emergency, when people are not able to purchase the items of daily needs. He said elections are not won by money. Had it been so, BJP would not have lost earlier elections in 2004. Prof. Yadav claimed that it has become a law and order problem and the administration is forced to deploy police forces near banks and ATMs.
He said the situation is very grave in rural areas saying no black money holder is queuing up before banks. He also wanted to know from the government how much black money has accrued after the announcement of the decision to scrap currency notes. He also questioned the printing of two thousand rupee notes.
The House took up the discussion on demonetisation suspending the listed business on the opening day of the Winter session.
Government defended the decision to scrap high value currency notes saying it is in the national interest. Intervening in the debate on demonetisation in the Rajya Sabha, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said the decision has been hailed by the common man. He said, despite difficulties, the move will benefit the common man by curbing black money, terror activities, fake currency circulation and drug trafficking.
The Minister said, this is an open warning to corrupt and dishonest people and an honest person can deposit his savings in banks till the 30th of next month. He said the decision will improve the country’s economy, bring down inflation and increase tax collection, which can be utilised for the welfare of the vulnerable sections of the society.