Demonetisation a cruel joke says deputy Leader of Opposition, Anand Sharma, in Rajya Sabha

Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "unleashing financial anarchy in the country" and "inflicting sufferings on millions of people" by demonetising Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currencies, deputy Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma on Thursday said the Prime Minister should come to Parliament and accept his "blunder".

"Prime Minister Modi, instead of accepting the blunder, is actually changing positions on a daily basis. He must be held accountable and if he has any honour and shame left, he should come to Parliament, apologise and atone for unleashing financial anarchy in this country and inflicting suffering on millions of people. The country which was recognised as one of the largest democracies has turned into a banana republic," said Sharma, Congress senior leader.

Criticising the government for handing out incentives to people using digital transactions, Sharma said it was a cruel joke as more than 73 crore people are unbanked.

"What the Finance Minister has said is a cruel joke in a country where officially, as per the RBI, 43% are unbanked and 80% of India has no internet connectivity. What he has said today is a desperate act to mislead and confuse. Less than three percent of people use credit cards and debit cards. As per the World Bank's Financial Inclusion report 11% of India has done cheque transactions. How can you transform India to cashless society overnight," he asked.

Sharma added that demonetisation has shutdown India's economy and made it cashless.

"He has shutdown India's economy and made India cashless in any case because banks have gone bankrupt, ATMS are running empty and the cash that has been sent to the villages is literally Rs 300 per account," he said.

The Congress leader's comments came in sharp response to the government incentivising people on use of credit and debit cards.

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ANI