Jaitley doesn't know what is happening on the ground: CPI

The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Tuesday rubbished the remarks of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, saying he doesn't know what is happening across the nation.

CPI leader D Raja told ANI, "Mr. Arun Jaitley somewhere doesn't know what is happening on the ground. I don't think people are supporting the government's decision. In fact, people are agitating, people are passing through unprecedented hardships, humiliations and the manufacture sector stands affected, agriculture sector stands affected, cooperative sector stands affected. The whole economy is being hurt very badly."

Earlier, Jaitley, while addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary meet, said that the banning of high-currency notes was a significant step taken by the NDA regime, adding it took a lot of courage to do so.

"This is a historic decision. The entire nation is welcoming it. By stopping the 'normal' of last 70 years, Prime Minister Modi has created a new 'normal'," said Jaitley.

Taking the opposition parties to task for training guns on the government for not debating the demonetisation issue in Parliament, Jaitley said the Centre is ready for a debate, adding the political rivals are creating unnecessary ruckus for belittling this initiative.

"We took the opposition by surprise when they asked for a debate and we agreed but before we could reply they started disruption by saying that we don't want to debate. We are ready for discussion on demonetisation and we have said it several times," he said.

Jaitley also lambasted the opposition for accusing the Centre of leaking the news of banning high denomination notes to a select few.

"Some people are saying that even the Finance Minister did not know of this decision and then on the contrary they say that the (ruling) party knew it beforehand," he said.

The finance minister also used the occasion to reach out to the farming community.

"For next few weeks, we are planning to focus on the agricultural sector. Rabi season is also coming, we need to assist all these needs," he said.