Will confront Centre on demonetisation in Parliament: CPI-M

Amid a nationwide uproar over demonetisation, the CPI-M on Monday said the Centre's move will not help tackle corruption and black money, and added that it will confront the government in Parliament during its winter session starting November 16.

"The stated objectives of tackling corruption and black money will not be achieved with demonetisation. I don't know which world Prime Minister Narendra Modi is living in," Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury told the media.

"We will raise the demonetisation issue in Parliament and decide our future course of action on the basis of what happens there," he said.

Yechury was referring to West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress' call for opposition unity on the demonetisation issue and holding a protest march to Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

Yechury confirmed a call from West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee over the demonetisation issue.

"The last time we marched to Rashtrapati Bhavan to protest against the Modi government's Land Acquisition Bill, we did it only after the government rejected our call in Parliament," the Left leader said while referring to the opposition's March 2015 march.

"So, we will first raise the issue in Parliament. Depending on the government's response, we will decide our next course of action. Our agenda at the moment is to pin the government on the floor of the house," he said.

The CPI-M leader demanded that the demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes should be accepted by public utilities and hospitals till alternate arrangements are made by authorities.

He demanded the central and state governments should issue direction to all public utilities and emergency services in this regard to ensure instant relief to the public.

"Till sufficient printed money is made available and ATMs reconfigured, the decision on demonetisation should be kept in abeyance and all white transactions allowed in old notes," he added.

--IANS

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