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India News
Curious case of 2 kinds of Rs 500, Rs 2000 notes: Congress alleges scam of the century in Rajya Sabha
August 8, 2017
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal today showed copies of two kinds of Rs 500 notes in Rajya Sabha.
Edited by Kritika Banerjee
The Congress today alleged that two types of Rs 500 notes were being printed, with senior leader Kapil Sibal demonstrating copies of the two variants in Rajya Sabha today.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad called it the century’s biggest scam.
“The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) prints two types of currency notes. These are of different sizes and different design… How is it possible,” Sibal asked.
Later speaking to reporters, Kapil Sibal said, “The country should know the truth, if the Reserve Bank of India knew that there are different types of notes (in the market), why did it not mention it on its website”.
“I have found two kinds of Rs 500 and Rs 2000 notes whose dimensions and design differ. How is it possible that two different kinds of notes are printed,” asked Kapil Sibal.
“Finance Ministry should ensure that only one type of notes are printed. The RBI will say return us (the notes)… do they want people to stand in queues again,” the Congress leader said.
He said that the government and the Prime Minister must answer the people as to how this has happened.
As per RBI standards, the size of a Rs 500 note is 150mm by 66 mm, and that of the Rs 2000 note is 166 mm by 66mm.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE HOUSE
While the Congress led the charge against the government over alleged printing of two kinds of Rs 500 and Rs 2000 notes, other Opposition leaders like Trinamool Congress’ Derek O’Brien supported the Congress. Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav and Samajwadi Party’s Naresh Agrawal also backed the Congress’ charge.
As Opposition members created a ruckus and the treasury benches members shouted back, the Chair adjourned the House for 10 minutes. After the break, the Congress members again trooped to the Chairman’s podium and raised slogans against the government.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that if members want a discussion on the issue, they can give a notice. The Opposition, however, continued to raise slogans, forcing the House to be adjourned again.
