Belagavi, DHNS: Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday told the Legislative Council that the state government would again write to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and the Reserve Bank of India to address the problems faced by the people following the demonetisation of high-value currency notes.

Following an adjournment motion on demonetisation by Basavaraj Horatti (JD-S), the ruling party members came down heavily upon the Centre’s abrupt decision to ban Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. They said that 70 people had died standing in ATMs or bank queues and demanded that the Centre immediately pay a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the families of these persons.

Ivan D’Souza (Congress) said the Centre had infringed upon the fundamental rights of the citizens, and took up demonetisation without adequate preparation. Motamma (Congress) said demonetisation had added to the miseries of people in the drought-hit areas.

The ruling party members demanded that the Centre increase the limit of withdrawal of money, make all ATMs operational, withdraw the circular to ease the restriction on cooperative banks and enable DCC banks to work on a par with nationalised banks.

BJP member K B Shanappa said discussion is irrelevant as there is nobody to furnish a reply. The members also raised questions over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment towards weeding out black money.

V S Ugrappa (Congress) also urged the government to claim losses that the state had incurred, from the Centre. Highlighting the plight of people from all sections of society, Parameshwara said the Indian economy is at a crossroads. He condemned the Centre for taking the drastic step without any preparation.

The Centre had held no consultations with the chief ministers of all states, he said.

Leader of the Opposition K S Eshwarappa termed the government's reply, “ just a political speech.”