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Demonetisation: You need not answer 'odd questions', Manmohan Singh tells Urjit Patel

Reserve Bank Governor Urjit Patel On Wednesday Escaped Possible Grilling By A Parliamentary Committee Over The Demonetisation Issue But For The Intervention Of Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

PTI | Updated on: 18 Jan 2017, 08:53:22 PM
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (Pic: PTI)

New Delhi:

Reserve Bank Governor Urjit Patel on Wednesday escaped possible grilling by a parliamentary committee over the demonetisation issue but for the intervention of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Patel, who along with other RBI and finance ministry officials appeared before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, was put to some tough questions by members, sources in the committee said.

He could not reply to questions like when normalcy would be back in the banking system and how much of demonetised currency was deposited during the 50-day window.

Before further grilling could start, Singh, who made a forceful speech against demonetisation in Rajya Sabha calling it a “monumental failure and organised loot”, intervened to say that the central bank and the Governor’s position as an institution should be respected.

Govt, RBI talks on demonetisation began early last year: Urjit Patel to parliamentary panel

He should not be put to odd questions, Singh, who himself was RBI Governor once, is believed to have told the Committee.

Singh is understood to have told Patel that he need not answer a question put by one of the members relating to non-removal of cash withdrawal restrictions.

Also Read | Rs 9.2 lakh crore introduced in new currency so far: RBI Governor Urjit Patel to Parliamentary panel

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First Published : 18 Jan 2017, 08:39:00 PM

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