Yet another day of Parliament was wasted today over the issue of demonetisation, with opposition creating ruckus in both Houses over various aspects related to the November 8 decision of the government.
The Lok Sabha could not function for the third straight working day as opposition parties insisted on Adjournment Motion on demonetisation and a debate under a rule that entails voting.
The Rajya Sabha, which saw a day-long inconclusive debate on demonetisation on the opening day of the Winter session on November 16, has also failed to transact any business since then as the opposition has been pressing for presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for resumption of the discussion.
Today, the opposition in the Upper House added another dimension by asserting that no discussion on demonetisation would take place till the House adopts a resolution mourning the death of nearly 70 people allegedly due to hardships caused after scrapping of notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations.
Among those pressing for the resolution were Congress, BSP, TMC and CPI(M).
Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley accused the Opposition of running away from the demonetisation debate.
"Merits and demerits will come out in a debate... Why are they (opposition parties) running away from debate? This is clear now that the opposition is not ready for debate and is coming up with new excuses to disrupt the House," he said amid slogan shouting by opposition members who were in the well of the House.
Stating that the notice for suspension of business under Rule 267 was accepted on the first day of the winter session and a debate had started, Jaitley said the reported deaths could come up during the course of this debate and the reply to it.
The House was adjourned repeatedly even as the government side, including Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, continued to question the opposition's behaviour.
"The sense of the country is against black money. Sense of the country is in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and against those opposing demonetisation," Naqvi said repeatedly, adding that the opposition is unable to feel the pulse of the people.
As the uproar continued, the House was adjourned for the day at minutes past 3 PM.
Similar was the situation in the Lok Sabha, with opposition parties disrupting the proceedings for the third consecutive day by demanding Adjournment Motion (suspension of all work) and discussion on demonetisation under a rule that entails voting.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the government was ready for the debate if the opposition allowed the discussion under Rule 193 that does not entail voting or passage of a resolution. The opposition rejected it.
Due to the uproar, the House was adjourned repeatedly and the finally for the day at around 2 PM.
In the Rajya Sabha, as soon as the House mourned the
death of 130 people in the derailment of Indore-Patna Express near Kanpur yesterday, Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) said an obituary reference condoling the death of 70 people due to hardships caused by demonetisation should be moved by the Chair.
He was supported by Mayawati (BSP) who said people have died standing in queues because of hunger, want of medicines and waiting for currency for marriage.
Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad (Cong) said while condolences have been expressed for those killed in yesterday's train accident, the same should be done for the 70 people who have lost their lives in last 15 days.
"They are also citizens of this country. We want such an obituary reference to come from the Chair," he said. He wanted the Prime Minister to come to the House for the debate.
Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said if the members were ready, the discussion on demonetisation issue can resume immediately. "I would like to make it very clear that the Chair is ready for discussion if you are ready," he said.
Claiming that 11 bank employees were among the 70 who lost their lives, Yechury asked the Chair to take the opinion of the House on moving a resolution condoling their death. He said the debate could be held after the obituary reference is made by the Chair.
Kurien virtually ruled it out saying "condolences are not done on demand. That has to come spontaneously. You can approach the Chairman (on that)."
He suggested that members could continue the debate on demonetisation but Congress members kept shouting slogans and other opposition members were seen standing on the aisles.
He said there is a procedure for such references and suggested that the members to approach Rajya Sabha Chairman.
"What is the authenticity of numbers (of dead due to demonetisation hassles) you are speaking," he said.
Yechury said "take consensus of the House". At this point, opposition Congress, BSP and TMC members rushed into the Well shouting slogans.
"Narendra Modi sharam karo, sharam karo (shame on Narendra Modi)", "Modi sadan mein jawab do (Modi please reply in the House)", "poonjiwadio ki yeh sarkar nahi chalegi (this government of capitalists will not be tolerated)", "Jan virodhi Narendra Modi sharma karo, sharam karo (shame on anti-people Narendra Modi)," they shouted.
TMC members carried placards with "Financial Emergency" written.
Naqvi too pitched for continuation of the debate. "Many members want to speak (on the demonetisation)... We want discussion. We want discussion."
Amid the din, Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain wanted to make a statement on yesterday's train mishap.
However, Opposition members created uproar, protesting that the government had "sent a junior minister" to make a statement.
Congress leader Anand Sharma said that no statement of the Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu was circulated.
"Railway minister is available, but yet he sends a junior minister. Railway Minister made a statement in the Lok Sabha, but he is not giving adequate respect to the Rajya Sabha," the Congress leader said.
Gohain read out the statement, as a Congress MP tore a copy of the statement.
