Demonetisation: Cong wants debate under Rule 56

New Delhi: Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has said the Narendra Modi government announced the demonetisation of high-value currency notes without any preparation and the Opposition wants a serious discussion on the issue under the rules that entail voting.

"The decision was taken in haste, without any preparation. This has hit people at the lower level. 60 people have so far died in queues outside ATMs and banks," he claimed.

Kharge said Congress was willing to debate the issue under Rule 56, but the government wanted to discuss it under Rule 193, which does not entail voting.

"It is merely a formality. The government is evading questions," he alleged.

Asked if the Opposition will allow Parliament to function tomorrow, Kharge said, "The government should agree to a debate on demonetisation under Rule 56. All parameters of a debate will be met under the rule."

Attacking the government for failing to bring back black money stashed abroad, he said, "The Modi dispensation has completed two-and-a-half years in office, but has failed to come out with the list of people having accounts in Swiss banks."

He claimed that a few BJP leaders were also against the way the decision to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes was taken.

"The entire House is on the same page in this regard," he said.

The Opposition will also try to pin down the government on the issue of One Rank One Pension scheme, the Jammu and Kashmir turmoil and surgical strikes, Kharge added.