Demonetisation issue stalls Odisha Assembly

The Odisha Assembly on Friday witnessed pandemonium over demonetisation after some Congress members raised the issue of sufferings of the people due to the ongoing cash crunch in the market.

The House was adjourned twice as the Congress members rushed to the podium, seeking a ruling from Deputy Speaker Sananda Marandi, who was presiding over the session.

Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati raised the issue in the House and sought a statement from the Finance Minister on the remedial steps being initiated to mitigate the crisis.

"There have been instances of distress sale of vegetables in the state. It has become an emergency-like situation due to the shortage of cash in the market," said Bahinipati.

Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra asked why the central government has not taken action even after the Chief Minister sought the intervention of the Centre to make provisions to ease the suffering of the people.

"It has been one month since demonetisation. The countrymen have reaped no benefits to date. In Odisha, an unprecedented situation has arisen. Farmers, vegetable sellers, labourers and small traders are feeling the heat and undergoing untold miseries," Mishra told media persons.

Interestingly, some Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders also criticised the union government even though the Chief Minister has welcomed the demonetisation move.

BJD MLA Sameer Dash said: "Our party expresses grave concern over the situation in the state. Without being fully prepared, the central government took a plunge into demonetisation, and now the general public is suffering, we have apprised the Centre our concerns through Assembly."

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended the demonetisation move and said the situation would be normalised within 50 days.

"Some people have suffered due to the demonetisation decision, which has been taken to fight against black money and terrorism. It may take some time to normalise the situation," said BJP MLA Pradip Purohit.

--IANS

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