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India opposition calls for 'day of rage' against cash crisis
BBC NEWS From the section India
November 24, 2016, 3 hours ago
Indian lawmakers from opposition parties form a human chain outside the parliament building during a protest against the government demonetizing high-value bills in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016.
The parties have urged that it be marked as a 'day of rage'
Thirteen opposition parties in India have called for a nationwide protest on Monday against the government decision to ban two major currency notes.
The parties want it to be marked as a "day of rage".
Earlier this month the prime minister, Narendra Modi, declared 500 and 1,000 rupee notes would be banned as part of a crackdown on corruption.
But the scarcity of replacement notes has brought India's largely cash economy to a virtual standstill.
The opposition MPs are insisting that Mr Modi address parliament on the issue, which he has not yet done. More than 200 opposition MPs protested against the abolishment of banknotes, standing outside the parliament building on Tuesday.
"We feel there is a scam behind this decision. We feel that the prime minister and their [party] president had told their people about this decision in advance... The opposition is united," Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition Congress party, said.
There have been chaotic scenes in India ever since the currency ban was announced two weeks ago. People have been queuing up for hours outside banks and cash machines, which are fast running out of money.
India lawmakers from the various political parties stand and protest next to a statue of Mahatma Gandhi against the ban on old high denomination currency notes outside the Indian Parliament building in New Delhi, India, 23 November 2016.
The parties have urged that it be marked as a 'day of rage'
In some instances the police have had to be called in to manage queues of anxious customers trying to change their savings in banned notes for legal tender.
People have been told they can deposit or change their old notes in banks until 30 December and new 500 and 2,000 rupee notes have been issued. A new 1,000 rupee note will also be issued, but there is no clarity on when.
Until 24 November Indians are also able to change a small sum of old cash into legal tender as long as they produce ID. This amount was reduced from a total of 4,500 rupees to 2,000 rupees on 17 November. Anything above this amount needs to be credited to a bank account.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-38088177
