NEW DELHI: While the government said that Congress was running away from a discussion on demonetisation in Parliament even when the government wanted a positive debate, the Congress said it was willing to debate the issue under Rule 56, but the government wanted to discuss it under Rule 193, which does not entail voting.
Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Sunday accused the Congress of running away from a discussion on demonetisation in Parliament even when the government wanted a positive debate and was open to suggestions. He said the government was for a "positive" discussion on the issue in a conducive environment.
"It is open to positive suggestions from the Opposition. But the rival parties, especially Congress, do not have anything to say in this regard. On the first day of the session, we consented to a debate on the issue of demonetisation and black money without wasting any time. But on the second day, the Opposition, Congress in particular, tried to run away from it," he said.
"We are ready for a debate on every issue. We are prepared to answer every question. But we want that Congress stop turning tail and participate in the discussion," the Union minister of minority affairs said.
Asked about Congress' demand that a debate on the issue of demonetisation be initiated in Parliament under Rule 56 that entails voting, he said, "The meaning of the debate will be lost if we get bogged down by rules and regulations."
On the other hands, Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has said the Narendra Modi government announced the demonetisation of high-value currency notes without any preparation and the Opposition wants a serious discussion on the issue under the rules that entail voting.
"The decision was taken in haste, without any preparation. This has hit people at the lower level. 60 people have so far died in queues outside ATMs and banks," he claimed.
Kharge said Congress was willing to debate the issue under Rule 56, but the government wanted to discuss it under Rule 193, which does not entail voting.
"It is merely a formality. The government is evading questions," he alleged. Asked if the Opposition will allow Parliament to function on Monday, Kharge said, "The government should agree to a debate on demonetisation under Rule 56. All parameters of a debate will be met under the rule."
The Congress leader claimed that a few BJP leaders were also against the way the decision to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes were taken.
"The entire House is on the same page in this regard….The Opposition will also try to pin down the government on the issue of One Rank One Pension scheme, the Jammu and Kashmir turmoil and surgical strikes, Kharge added.