Currency notes issue: Opposition claims ‘biggest scam’, govt rejects it as ‘frivolous’

The Rajya Sabha proceedings were washed out today as the Opposition created uproar, alleging that different kinds of Rs 500 and Rs 2000 currency notes were being printed which was the “biggest scam of the century”.

The government hit back by accusing the Congress and the Trinamool Congress of raising “frivolous” issues and creating confusion in the country by making such claims. The House saw continuous slogan-shouting by the members of the Congress and Trinamool Congress, because of which it was adjourned six times before the final adjournment for the day, just minutes after 2.30 pm. Significantly, JD(U)’s Sharad Yadav sided with the Opposition parties on the issue despite his party now being a constituent of the ruling NDA. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the Congress party has been raising “frivolous” issues, without giving notices, to stall Zero Hour proceedings.

Some members including Derek O’Brien (TMC) displayed the new 500 rupee notes issued after demonetization to show the different sizes they were bring printed. O’Brien first offered to submit the notes to Jaitley for scrutiny and then walked up to him to explain to him the difference. He, however, did not leave the notes with the finance minister. Jaitley said there is …read more