Should not put RBI Governor to odd questions: Manmohan Singh told panel

New Delhi: Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel on Wednesday escaped possible grilling by a parliamentary committee over the demonetisation issue, thanks to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention.

Patel, who along with other RBI and finance ministry officials appeared before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, was put to some tough questions by members, sources in the committee said.

He could not reply to questions such as when normalcy would be back in the banking system and how much of demonetised currency was deposited during the 50-day window.

Before further grilling could start, Singh, who earlier had made a forceful speech against demonetisation in Rajya Sabha calling it a "monumental failure and organised loot", intervened to say that the central bank and the Governor's position as an institution should be respected.

Singh, who himself was RBI Governor once, is believed to have told the Committee that he should not be put to odd questions.

Singh is understood to have told Patel that he need not answer a question put by one of the members relating to non-removal of cash withdrawal restrictions.