On November 8, 2016, the Narendra Modi government in an unprecedented move invalidated 86 per cent of India’s currency by terming ₹500 and ₹1000 notes as illegal tender. Last year, a draft report on demonetisation was circulated to see if demonetisation has managed to meet the government’s stated objectives. However, the long-pending report is yet to be completed as BJP members are continuing to obstruct its completion.

BJP sitting on the report

According to The Hindu, the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, headed by M. Veerappa Moily of the Congress, is supposed to come up with the report. However, it is still incomplete as the panellists from the committee could not come to a consensus. The BJP members on the committee are stalling the finalisation of the reports citing various reasons. The report could not be tabled in the last winter or monsoon sessions of Parliament, because BJP members protested against it.

In the last one year, the Parliamentary committee has been reconstructed as the previous committee’s term ended on August 31. On September 19, a new committee was constructed, Veerappa Moily continues to be its chairman, with five new members. In the last meeting on Wednesday, Mr Moily raised the issue of the pending demonetisation report and the need to finalise it, said the sources.

However, Nishikant Dubey, an MP from Jharkhand, and Rajya Sabha member, Rajeev Chandrashekar, who are also on the panel raised at least three points opposing the finalisation of the report.

BJP says for new evidence to be added

These BJP members asserted that the five new members should be given some time to analyse the existing evidence and minutes of the previous meetings. BJP panellist further said that the new members should also be given an opportunity to put their inputs on the demonetisation report. They also said that it would not look good if the majority of the committee’s members filed a dissent note on the draft report. They further urged that new evidence, like a report by the Reserve Bank of India, should also be included to substantiate the demonetisation report.

Meanwhile, an MP from Trinamool Congress, Dinesh Trivedi told the committee that the members have to deliver the report as they are duty-bound, even if the consensus is not built. Head Moily also asked the committee to come to its logical conclusion. He said that the report does not only reflect the chairman’s view but of the entire committee as well, which is why a consensus is necessary.

When asked when is the report getting tabled, he said “We will deliberate on the issue once more and will call in more witnesses. The report will be tabled soon,” as reported by The Hindu.

Also Read: 99.3% Of Demonetised Currency Back In System: RBI Report