Winter session of Parliament witnesses stormy start

As the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day after obituary references, the Rajya Sabha reverberated with a debate on the issue.

Questioning the move of the Centre, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said this has put the common  people into massive trouble, while those really possessing black money have stashed the ill-gotten wealth in Swiss banks.

"All the farmers have become  jobless today, they are standing in queues," Sharma said.

Coming down heavily on the restriction on withdrawal of money from bank accounts, Sharma asked what right the Government has to restrain people from having access to their own money.

He also said 86 per cent of the currency in the markets was 500/1000 notes, was scrapped by just one announcement.

"Was it all black?", he questioned stating that the  demonetisation decision sent a wrong message to the world that Indian economy runs on black money.

"The Government has list of those holding black money in Swiss Bank; we demand that PM must tell who all are there in the list," he said.

Sharma also demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his statement in  Goa for "mocking" the people who are standing in queues.

" An atmosphere has been created by the Government where questioning it has become the parameter to decide one's nationalism," he said.

Terming it a sensitive issue, BSP leader Maywati demanded that the PM take part in the discussion.

She mocked at BJP leaders for the talks about fighting black money and attending wedding functions, organised by big politicians with big splurges.

Mayawati, however, said the BSP is not against demonetisation, "but against the way it has been implemented."

Speaking on behalf of the Government, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said for the first time, the honest have been honoured and the dishonest have been troubled.

"Citizens of India fully backing govt on the note ban move. Measure to expose black money is necessary," he said.

"When the PM was elected, he was elected on a mandate to curb corruption and black money."

"But parties are not taking it well, all parties should instead welcome PM's actions," he said.

"There are no curbs on the common man today, it is only on criminals. What kind of a House can have objections to that?," Goyal said.

Left leader Sitaram Yechury also slammed Modi and used a meme being shared on social media to criticise the currency ban move by the Centre.

Speaking in the Parliament on the issue of  currency note ban, the Left leader said: "In the French revolution, they said if you don't have bread, eat cake. Now we have Modi Antoinette."

He further said: "If you don't have paper, pay by plastic."

Defending their move, Venkaiah Naidu said : "Congress party, please come out of dilemma. Are you in favour of smugglers or some strong steps?"