In Parliament Today: Piyush Goyal Defends Demonetisation As Congress Mounts Attack

With the opposition parties up in arms against the government over demonetisation, the day one of the winter session of Parliament saw some stern remarks, witty comments and convincing answers.

Here are some important highlights:

The debate over demonetisation began in the Rajya Sabha, soon after the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day following obituary readings. Starting the debate, Congress leader Anand Sharma said:

My question to the finance minster is if the Reserve Bank was consulted on this decision. Is the government saying that 86 per cent of the currency notes in the market all either black or counterfeit?

Further, he condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement in Goa, accusing him of mocking the poor of the country. He added that previous governments have also taken action against black money and corruption, and accused the government of creating a financial anarchy in the country.

“We are a civilised country, rule-based country – and you made all its citizens criminals,” Sharma told the Rajya Sabha. “Do farmers have credit cards? Which economy works without cash?” he said.

Replying to Sharma’s accusations, Power and Energy Minister Piyush Goyal said:

We also watch the television. We have seen how the entire nation has welcomed this step. When the Prime Minister was elected, he was elected on a mandate to curb corruption and black money. For the first time, the honest have been honoured and the dishonest have been troubled.

Goyal stated that demonetisation is not aimed at honest income, but at the illicit cash that some have collected over the years. He also informed the Rajya Sabah that the government never mentioned the word ‘surgical strike’, and if Sharma chooses to call it so, he will consider it as the endorsement of the move.

“I appeal to the people, please be assured your honest income is not in any danger. You have till 30 December to exchange or deposit old notes, please don’t panic,” Goyal added.

Other members, including Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati and ex-Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav, also attacked the government over the move.