Janjivan Bureau / New Delhi : Congress party on Tuesday attack on demonetisation and asked Prime Minister and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley must be reply the interest of demonetisation. Congress alleged against the BJP-led NDA government in general and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in particular when it claimed that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had printed two types of Rs 500 notes, one of which were sent solely to BJP leaders during elections after demonetisation
The Congress today alleged that two types of Rs 500 notes were being printed, with senior leader Kapil Sibal demonstrating copies of the two variants in Rajya Sabha today.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad called it the century’s biggest scam.
“The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) prints two types of currency notes. These are of different sizes and different design… How is it possible,” Sibal asked.
Later speaking to reporters, Kapil Sibal said, “The country should know the truth, if the Reserve Bank of India knew that there are different types of notes (in the market), why did it not mention it on its website”.
Finance Ministry should ensure that only type of notes are printed. The RBI will say return us (the notes)… do they want people to stand in queues again,” said Congress leader Kapil Sibal.
“Have found two kinds of Rs 500 and Rs 2000 notes whose dimensions and design differ. How is it possible that two different kinds of notes are printed,” asked Kapil Sibal.
He said that the government and the Prime Minister must answer the people as to how this has happened.
As per RBI standards, the size of a Rs 500 note is 150mm by 66 mm, and that of the Rs 2000 note is 166 mm by 66mm.
Dimensions of a Rs 500 note, as per RBI standards.
Dimensions of a Rs 2000 note as per RBI standards.
While the Congress led the charge against the government over alleged printing of two kinds of Rs 500 and Rs 2000 notes, other Opposition leaders like Trinamool Congress’ Derek O’Brien supported the Congress.
Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav and Samajwadi Party’s Naresh Agrawal also backed the Congress’ charge.
As Opposition members created a ruckus and the treasury benches members shouted back, the Chair adjourned the House for 10 minutes.
After the break, the Congress members again trooped to the Chairman’s podium and raised slogans against the government.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that if members want a discussion on the issue, they can give a notice.
The BJP chose to attack the very introduction of the attacks, with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley saying: “There is no such provision where you flag any paper and say it’s a Point of Order. Irresponsible remarks are being made about the currency. Zero Hour is being misused.”