Nation still facing problems courtesy "monumental mismanagement": Cong on demonetization

New Delhi [India], Dec. 8 (ANI): The Congress Party on Thursday dubbed demonetisation as a monumental mismanagement on part of the "frustrated" BJP-led government at the Centre and said the opposition is observing black day as the nation is still facing problems even a month after the decision. Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, said the growth rate has decreased and the problems of the people have increased post demonetisation. "The people must get relief from this problem. We are observing black day because it's been a month since the implementation of demonetisation and still the people are facing problems. Earlier, the Prime Minister asked for five days then five weeks and now 50 days. This isn't right as not even 50 percent of the situation got better in one month," he told ANI. "Our image has also ruined at the international platform due to demonetisation. Everyone is affected due to this monumental mismanagement and all are worried. They have failed in this regard," he added. Highlighting BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani's concern with regard to repeated disruptions in the Parliament, Kharge alleged that the NDA regime at the Centre is frustrated. "We want debate and discussion. Don't know how much impact L.K. Advani's statement had on the government, but we have been trying to carry on with the debate," he added. Advani yesterday expressed his ire over the repeated disruptions in Parliament post the government's demonetisation drive while holding both the ruling dispensation as well as the opposition responsible for the deadlock. Advani, who put forth his concerns before Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, said both the government and opposition benches are party to the repeated disruptions in Parliament. He demanded that action should be initiated against those lawmakers responsible for the continued deadlock in both the houses. He also demanded that there should be a cut in their salaries for their adamant attitude. In the three weeks since the Winter Session began, the opposition parties have paralysed the Parliament's functioning by cornering the government over the move, which has caused the economy to tailspin in the short-term and has created a liquidity crunch that has hit common citizens hard. A united opposition has decided to observe a black day today to mark the completion of one month since Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the surprise demonetisation announcement on November 8. The members of Parliament from opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha as well as the Lok Sabha wore black bands and held a protest at the Gandhi statue in Parliament to highlight the consequences of the severe liquidity crunch on the poor and in the informal sector which runs on cash. (ANI)