NEW DELHI: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on Thursday said that a ‘responsible’ government is willing to accommodate the opposition’s suggestions over the demonetisation move and added that there was no question of prestige as this decision was taken in national interest.
“We should not lose more time. The opposition has been asking for discussion on this urgent matter (demonetisation) but they have been delaying it for eight days,” Kumar told the media here.
“We respect all the opposition parties. Everyone needs to run the Parliament smoothly. There should be a meaningful discussion. If there are any suggestions, the government is willing to listen. There is no question of prestige whatsoever,” he added.
Meanwhile, sources said that the opposition leaders have decided not to hold talks with the government until November 28.
A separate meeting is currently underway in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's chamber in Parliament.
Meanwhile, a meeting of the opposition leaders is currently underway in Parliament to chalk out a strategy to end the ongoing logjam over the demonetisation move.
A meeting is also underway at Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's chamber in Parliament.
Union Ministers Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu and Ananth Kumar are among those present at the meeting.
As the government attempts to find a truce with a united opposition, which has disrupted both the Houses of Parliament since the beginning of the Winter Session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today attend the Rajya Sabha and is likely to participate in the discussion on demonetisation.
Since the first day of the Winter Session, the opposition leaders are calling for the Prime Minister to speak on the issue in Rajya Sabha, where the government does not enjoy the majority.
Even though most of them support the government’s move on the fight against black money, they are protesting against the abrupt manner in which the ruling dispensation implemented demonetisation as even after the third week of the announcement, long queues can be seen outside ATMs and banks with the people looking to either exchange or deposit old notes.
Rejecting the demand of opposition parties to roll back the decision on demonetisation, Naidu yesterday said the nation has supported the government’s step to unearthing black money, adding the decision has been taken keeping in view the welfare of the farmers and the marginalised sections of society.
He said that Prime Minister Modi took a bold decision to curb black money by invalidating the currency notes of 500 and 1,000 denominations.