Not surprising Congress uncomfortable with demonetisation as corruption peaked during UPA rule: Arun Jaitley

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley launched a scathing attack on the Congress for criticising the Modi government over demonetisation.

Coming down hard at the Congress, the Finance Minister said, “Congress did not take a single step against corruption or black money during its regime. Corruption, scams peaked during UPA I and II, so given its scandalous record, it is not surprising that the grand old party is uncomfortable with the NDA campaign.”

Defending government's demonetisation move, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader said, “In 2004-14, high denomination currency increased to 80 per cent from 36 per cent of total currency,” adding that government's strategy is to move to a low cash economy.

Assuring the nation of pumping more new Rs 500 and Rs 2000 currency notes soon, Jaitley said, “Despite transient problems, we are rapidly remonetising.”

“RBI to inject significant amount of currency in coming days,” he claimed.

Dismissing Opposition's charge that the government is running away from debating on demonetisation inside the Parliament, the senior BJP leader said, “We are ready for a debate on demonetisation in Parliament”.

Opposition parties have been continuously hitting out at the government in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha over the demonetisation issue.

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The Lok Sabha has experienced a virtual washout since the session began on November 16 as the government and the Opposition have locked horns over the demonetisation issue.