Government trying to break Parliament logjam: Minister

The government is reaching out to the opposition to ensure Parliament's functioning to hold a debate on demonetisation, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said on Wednesday.

"We are talking to the opposition and trying to break the logjam. We want both the houses to discuss the issue," the minister said.

He, however, said that the government did not want the debate to take place under an adjournment motion.

"Adjournment motion means censuring something. Is there a question of censuring this crusade against black money? We feel no, and they (opposition) also feel no," Ananth Kumar told reporters here.

"What they (opposition leaders) are telling us is that they are not against the fight against corruption, (but) they are against the manner of implementation. If there is a voting on the issue, the message will go out that the house is divided," he said.

"We must send a unanimous message to the country and the world."

The minister rued that the winter session which started on November 16 has been wasted so far over the November 8 demonetisation decision of the Centre.

"What are the opposition parties doing by holding up discussion (in Parliament)? They are not achieving anything. Because what is to be achieved is for speedy and smooth transition to the new economy. Everybody knows and appreciates the fact that the new economy will be more efficient and pro-poor," he said.

Ananth Kumar said: "I appeal to the opposition -- please see the writing on the wall. Understand the huge signal given by the people of India. They (opposition) are holding up the house on technical grounds, and not serving the cause of the people," the minister added.

The issue of demonetisation has led to repeated adjournments in both houses of Parliament since November 17.

The Lok Sabha did not function on the first day of the winter session due to the death of a sitting member, while the Rajya Sabha took up the debate on demonetisation.

Since November 17, opposition members in the Lok Sabha have been insisting on a debate under an adjournment motion, that entails voting after the debate.

In the Rajya Sabha, the opposition has been insisting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence in the upper house during the debate on demonetisation.

--IANS

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