New Delhi: The issue of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes continued to rock Parliament on Friday with the Opposition protesting vociferously in both Houses during Day 3 of the Winter Session.
A number of MPs from regional parties attempted to put forth proposals and requests on different issues to various Union Ministries amid the din in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned four times during the day, while the Lok Sabha was eventually adjourned till Monday.
The demonetisation issue had rocked Parliament on days 1 and 2, with both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha being adjourned repeatedly due to the ruckus created by the Opposition. The Opposition in a unified voice had demanded on Thursday that PM Modi address Parliament on the issue, failing which they would not allow business to be transacted in the House.
Here are the live updates from the proceedings on Day 3 of the Winter Session:
- To bring an end to a fruitless day's proceedings, the Rajya Sabha has been adjourned for the day.
- The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned once again, this time till 2:30 pm.
- The Lok Sabha has been adjourned till Monday, says speaker Mahajan.
- Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said that the government is ready for a debate on the note ban issue at any time.
- BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi in Lower House slammed the Congress for comparing Uri attacks to demonetisation, saying those who played politics of money are now protesting the campaign against black money.
- Kothapalli Geeta of the YSRCP requested the Health Minister to introduce tele-medicine in the rural areas to help the poor.
- Amid sloganeering in the Lok Sabha, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP called on the Centre to ensure early implementation of special package to the state, saying that the government was with the state in 'spirit' but not in letter.
- As ruckus and sloganeering continued after 12 pm, the Upper House was adjourned for another 30 minutes.
- The Rajya Sabha was adjourned immediately again on resumption, this time till 12 noon.
- Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati demanded that PM come to the Lok Sabha to address the demonetisation issue.
- Meanwhile, the BJP has issued a whip to its Lok Sabha MPs to be present in Parliament today.
- However, the Rajya Sabha was then adjourned till 11:30 am.
- Meanwhile, Opposition members stormed into the Well of the House even as Rajya Sabha chairman PJ Kurien attempted to restore order, telling the members to go back to their seats
- However, chaotic scenes were witnessed with the Opposition creating a ruckus again in the Lok Sabha, leading to the House being adjourned by the Speaker Sumitra Mahajan till 2 pm.
- BJP's Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi demanded in Parliament today that Congress apologise for comparing demonetisation to the Uri attacks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met senior ministers in his government to chalk out a strategy to counter the Opposition in Parliament over demonetisation.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu and Anantha Kumar were also present at the meeting.
Opposition leaders have been demanding a roll back on the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, but the Finance Ministry has made it loud and clear that it will not take a step back at any cost.
The Indian Youth Congress plans to gherao the Parliament on Friday to protest against demonetisation. The protest march will begin from the Indian Youth Congress' office at 5, Raisina Road.
The demand for the Prime Minister to attend the Parliament session was made by all parties on Thursday.
