It's incumbent on PM Modi to answer us: Ghulam Nabi Azad

Mounting pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mark his presence in the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition and Congress member Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday reiterated that the government's decision to demonetise the currency notes has caused great inconvenience to millions of people and the Prime Minister is "obliged" to respond to questions raised by parliamentarians on the issue.

"Is the Prime Minister not obliged to hear and listen to the parliamentarians? If he is not bothered about Parliament, then what are the MPs supposed to do. He is the Prime Minister of the country and not the BJP's. This (demonetisation) is a very serious matter. More than 70 people have died; great inconvenience has been caused to millions of people. As far as my understanding goes, PM must come inside the house and make statement," Azad told the reporters outside parliament.

The deadlock between the Centre and the opposition continued in the Lok Sabha for the fourth consecutive day as a united opposition stuck to its demand to discuss the demonetisation issue under rules entailing voting.

As soon as the House assembled, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated that the Question Hour should be suspended to start the discussion. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, however, did not allow the suspension.

Opposition members belonging to the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Samajwadi Party trooped into the well of the House raising slogans against the government. Amid the din, the Speaker adjourned the House till noon.

Similar scenes were witnessed in the Rajya with the opposition demanding the Prime Minister's presence in the House and payment of compensation to those who died of trauma while queuing up before banks and ATMs following demonetisation of high value currency notes.

The House was adjourned twice till noon as Opposition repeatedly trooped into the well.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi asserted that the demonetization of high value currency is just a beginning of his government's deep and continuous struggle against black money.

Addressing the BJP parliamentary party in the Parliament complex here, the Prime Minister said the decision is in the interest of poor and middle class, adding that his government is dedicated to eradicate the evils of black money and corruption which have affected people in the last 70 years.