We oppose the Govt because poor are suffering: Derek on currency ban

"Anyone who opposes the Govt policy is not for black money or anti-national." Derek said in the Parliament.

He said: "We oppose the Govt because poor are suffering and economy will suffer."

After days of uproar and chaos, the debate on demonetisation began in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi being present in the House as his predecessor Manmohan Singh led the opposition attack against the Government.

Criticising the 'monumental mismanagement' of the Modi Government, Singh said the way the move has been taken is causing misery to the people and the 50-day restriction on withdrawal of money could spell a disaster.

"I hope that PM will help us find practical ways to give relief to people suffering. Monumental mismanagement has been undertaken in implementation of demonetisation," he said.

“I want to ask PM that can he name any country where people have deposited their money but are not able to withdraw it. PM said wait for 50 days but for the poor section even 50 days can be detrimental,” Singh said.

The government on Thursday morning said it had not formally invited the opposition to discuss how to end the stand-off in parliament over the abrupt decision to ban 500 and 1,000 rupee notes

Ananth Kumar, union minister, had  said that  Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will present the government's stand on withdrawing 86 per cent of the currency notes that were in circulation, which led to a severe cash shortage and forced millions of people to stand in long queues in front of banks and ATMs.

About 70 people had fallen sick across the country while waiting in queues.

Taking up the issue, the Opposition created a ruckus in both House of Parliament after the winter session began and refused to let the normal proceedings continue, demanding a thorough discussion on the subject.

Led by the Congress, the Opposition parties also kept demanding that the Prime Minister be present in the Rajya Sabha during discussions.