Demonetisation: Both Houses of Parliament adjourned after opposition protests Indian Prime Minister's absence

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today once again remained absent in the afternoon session of the Rajya Sabha -- the upper house of the Indian Parliament.

Both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha were later adjourned for the day.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley, while addressing opposition in the House, said that the government was ready for debate.

The Opposition has been calling for Modi to come to Parliament and make a statement on demonetisation ever since the start of the winter session last week. 

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh kicked off the debate in the morning, saying it is "important to take note of the grievances of the people suffering". 

And that "those who say demonetisation is good in the long run, should recall (the) quote, 'In the long run we are all dead'."

Earlier in the day too, both houses of Parliament were adjourned till noon Thursday because of the uproar over demonetisation.

Parliament has now been disrupted every single day since the start of the winter session last week. The Lok Sabha or the lower house has been adjourned for the day, again because of the continuing uproar over demonetisation.  

The Opposition has also decided not to hold talks with the government up to November 28, which is when they will hold their nationwide Akrosh rally to protest against the demonetisation of the country's 500- and 1,000-rupee notes. Akrosh means "rage". 

Home minister Rajnath Singh had called a meeting with leaders of the Opposition today but they skipped it, deciding to meet on their own. 

Parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar had earlier reached out to the Opposition in an attempt to break the deadlock in Parliament.

(WION)