New Delhi: The debate on demonetisation, which kicked off on the first day of the Winter Session in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, continued on Thursday in Parliament as the Opposition in both Houses assailed the government over the move to ban Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned twice, the second time for the entire day as the Opposition created a ruckus over the issue of demonetisation.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned immediately after commencement, till 11:30 am, as Opposition members rushed to the well of the House. After resuming at 11:30 am, it was again called off until 12 pm due to continuing protest by members.
A third adjournment was made at 12:06 pm after members resumed shouting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. When the Upper House resumed at 2 pm, it was adjourned till 3 pm. Then it was adjourned for the day after Congress refused to allow business to be conducted until PM Modi came to the House.
Here are the live updates from the Parliament:
- Venkaiah Naidu hits back at Congress for criticising note ban, asks them if they want to support Pak-sponsored terrorism. 'Do you want to give a certificate to Pakistan?' Naidu thundered.
- Congress leaders say they won't let the House function till Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes to the Rajya Sabha to address it on the issue.
- Pakistani terrorists did not kill even half of our people in Uri than those who have died due to Govt's wrong policies,” Ghulam Nabi Azad hits back at BJP.
- “No matter what anybody says, this decision will not be taken back, we will not roll back demonetisation, because this decision is against black marketers, Pakistani terrorists and those betraying the country,” BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi tells Rajya Sabha.
- After RS resumes, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi leads Centre's charge, says his government would not roll back demonetisation of big notes at any cost.
- The Rajya Sabha has been further adjourned till 3 pm.
- The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day after ruckus continued.
- The Lok Sabha was earlier adjourned at 12:06 pm by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, while the Rajya Sabha faced its third adjournment for the day.
- Lok Sabha witnessed chaos as some members of the BJP discussed illegal mining, whereas the Opposition demanded a debate on note ban instead.
- Minister for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal spoke about illegal mining amidst ruckus.
The Rajya Sabha was initially adjourned till 11:30 am after Opposition members rushed into the well of the House saying ' We want Narendra Modi to go'.
- TMC leader Derek O Brien attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded a roll back of demonetisation.
- The TMC, Congress, Left and other parties gave 21 adjournment notices on demonetisation in the Lok Sabha.
- O' Brien and the CPM also called for Modi to be present in the House to address Opposition concerns over the issue.
- Soon after the House mourned the passing away of Swaminarayan sect head Pramukh Swami Shastri Narayan Swarup Das, TMC's Derek O'Brien was up on his feet.
- As Deputy Chairman P J Kurien allowed O'Brien to make his submission, slogan shouting AIADMK members trooped into the Well raising slogans demanding that Karnataka release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
- They however went back to their seats after Kurien assured that he will allow their leader A Navaneethakrishnan to speak after the TMC leader.
- All hell broke lose when Derek asked where the Prime Minister was when the House discusses hardships and inconvenience caused by the decision to withdraw old 500 and 1000 rupee notes.
- Congress members trooped into the Well of the House shouting "Pradhan Mantri Jawab do" (Prime Minister, reply)."
