New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the debate on demonetisation in Rajya Sabha on Thursday amid uproar by the Opposition parties seeking clarification from him in this regard.
Here are the updates of what has happened in and outside Parliament on Thursday:
#3.10pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day
#3pm: Demonetisation debate resumes in Rajya Sabha
2:10pm: Excerpts from Arun Jaitley's press conference outside Parliament-
# Those who didn’t consider scandals to be a blunder, they are considering demonetisation to be a blunder.
# Those parties who were once a part of every scandal in the country are now opposing demoonetisation.
# Their govt had the most scams and black money generated during its tenure. 2G scam, Coal Scam everything happened during their govt.
# Govt is convinced that our steps against corruption and black money are correct.
# First day it was a debate without any pre-conditions, from next day they started putting unreasonable conditions and it continues.
# Poore desh ne vo scandal wali sarkar dekhi hai jiske rajya me black money generate hua hai.
# Opposition thinks DeMonetisation is a blunder. Don't they think Commonwealth and 2G was a blunder?
# Opposition ka pramukh prastav tha ke PM charcha me rahen or fir unhone bahane dhundne shuru kar diye.
# Vipaksh ne jo prastav diya tha charcha ke liye, Rajya Sarkar ne sweekar kiya ke hum charcha ke liye tayar hain.
# Rajya Sabha adjourned till 3pm
# If the Prime Minister has attended the House only for the question hour then the proceedings won’t go on: Ghulam Nabi Azad
#2pm: Debate resumes in Rajya Sabha
# 1PM: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2pm
# Survey on demonetisation is fake: Mayawati
# 12.40pm I appeal the government to save the people from suffering: TMC MP Derek O’Brien
# Government’s demonetisation move was aimed at assembly election in Uttar Pradesh: Samajwadi Party MP Naresh Agrawal
# Lok Sabha adjourned for the day
# Monumental mismanagement has been undertaken in implementation of demonetisation: Manmohan
# Those who say demonetisation is good in the long run should recall quote "In the long run we are all dead: Manmohan
# It is important to take note of the grievances of the people suffering: Manmohan Singh
12:10pm: Top quotes of Manmohan Singh's address over the demonetisation move in Rajya Sabha:
# "I do not disagree with these objectives, but there is monumental mismanagement of which there are no two opinions in the country as a whole," said Dr Singh, whose government was decisively defeated by PM Modi two years ago.
# 60-65 people have lost their lives, what has been done can weaken our people's confidence in currency and banking system.
# PM said wait for 50 days but for the poor section even 50 days can be detrimental.
# 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 must come with some constructive proposal how we can implement the scheme.
# Cooperative banking sector which is serving large number in rural sector is not operational.
# Monumental mismanagement has been undertaken in implementation of demonetisation.
# I hope that PM will help us find practical ways to give relief to people suffering.
# Those who say demonetisation is good in the long run should recall quote "In the long run we are all dead.
# Several deaths and distress among the poor, farmers and small traders convinced him the demonetisation plan led to “organised loot and legalised plunder”.
# 12pm Manmohan Singh resumes his speech in Rajya Sabha
# Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends demonetisation debate
# Both houses adjourned till 12 noon
# 11.30am: Akshay Yadav of the Samajwadi Party tore paper, threw it at the speaker in Lok Sabha. House adjourned till 12 noon
# Opposition creates ruckust in Rajya Sabha after Manmohan Singh's speech disrupted
# If it is on demonetisation issue, let the Opposition resume the debate and Dr Manmohan Singh speak: Arun Jaitley in RS
# Meeting underway in PM Modi's chamber. Manohar Parrikar, Arun Jaitley and Venkaiah Naidu also present
# Opposition decides not to hold talks with the government till November 28th
# Meeting begins in Rajnath Singh’s chamber. Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu and Ananth Kumar present in the meeting
# We'll first meet Opposition and then decide whether we'll go to meeting called by home minister or not. Let PM or speaker call for meet: Mallikarjun Kharge
# Opposition party leaders’ meeting begins in Parliament
# Opposition leaders expected to meet in Parliament to chalk out strategy government's offer to end logjam
The unrelenting Opposition has been adamant about Modi’s clarification on the demonetisation exercise.
On Wednesday, Modi attended Lok Sabha after skipping House proceedings for five days, but his presence failed to break the deadlock over the recall of high-value currency notes as the Opposition intensified its protests inside the House and outside.
In a bid to break the logjam in both Houses, the government has reached out to the Opposition with parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar holding talks with Congress and TMC leaders.
Kumar and some other leaders in the government will continue deliberations with floor leaders of various political parties on Thursday as well.
(With inputs from agencies)
