Tuesday, May 07, 2024 | Last Update : 06:35 PM IST
Opposition walkout fails to corner BJP government over cash crunch
Opposition pointed out that 60 people had lost their lives after the Centre’s demonetisation move.
Mumbai: The first day of the winter session of the legislature started on a stormy note on Monday after the opposition members led by the Congress and NCP staged a walkout over the hardships faced by people due to demonetisation. The opposition strategy to corner the BJP government failed because the proceedings went smoothly despite the walkout.
Leader of the opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil raised the demonetisation issue through an adjournment motion. He demanded that it should be discussed keeping aside all other agenda of the house. “The original idea of demonetisation was to curb black money and bring down corruption. However, the common people are getting more affected and it has not helped the government to curb the black money. The government has failed completely on implementation front and over 60 people have lost their lives,” Mr Vikhe Patil said.
NCP leader Ajit Pawar said that financial transactions in the cooperative banks, credit societies have completely stopped. “When we complaint about it, the government said that it will take 50 days. How can farmers wait for 50 days? Farmers are not getting fresh loans, they cannot buy seeds or fertilisers. Likewise, people have got their salaries but they cannot withdraw it,” Pawar said, adding, “Terrorists have managed to get hold of the new Rs 2,000 notes but the common man still does not have money.”
However, finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar praised the Modi government’s demonetisation move. He said even the remote places like Bhamaragad, Sironcha in Gadchiroli district have received the new currency. “We have not taken the decision eyeing polls,” Mr Mungantiwar said, following which the opposition shouted anti-government slogans and staged a walkout.
Leader of opposition Dhananjay Munde demanded a package of Rs 20,000-crore for the farmers and workers. In the upper house, chairman Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar did not allow discussion and the house was adjourned for 15 minutes over
pandemonium.
