The Government today said it has taken several initiatives for making India transparent and free from black money. Initiating discussion on the motion of Thanks to the President for his address to the Joint sitting of Parliament, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in the Rajya Sabha that the demonetization process to ban the high value currency notes was supported by the people. <br/><br/>He said funding for terror and Maoist activities and unlawful money transactions have significantly come down post demonetisation. He said the NDA Government recognised the strengths of the common man and gave Padma awards to them this year.<br/><br/> Highlighting various initiatives and programmes undertaken by the government, Mr Prasad said they are helping India to become stronger, vibrant and corruption-free country. <br/><br/>Leader of Opposition Gulam Nabi Azad said the Government has failed on all fronts especially in containing infiltration and in protecting the lives of security personnel during the recent avalanches. He suggested the government to prepare a lasting solution to improve connectivity in the Kashmir valley during hostile weather conditions. <br/><br/>He claimed that the maximum number of ceasefire violations occurred during the NDA tenure. Refusing to take the Governments claim that the common man welcomed demonetisation, Mr Azad said it helped increase black money and posed more challenges to the people. <br/><br/>Navaneethakrishnan of the AIADMK demanded the Government to permanently exempt Tamil Nadu from the NEET examination for admissions into MBBS and Dental Courses, he said state board syllabus is at varrience of the CBSE. He also sought a permanent solution for the fishermen issues. Neeraj Shekhar of the Samajwadi Party criticised the Government saying that the Country needs actual implementation of all its promises rather than giving mere slogans.<br/><br/> Derek O'Brien of the TMC demanded removal of all restrictions imposed on withdrawal of cash post demonetisation. He alleged that the Government has merged the Railway Budget with the General Budget to mask the deficiencies in the Railways. <br/><br/>D. Raja of the CPI alleged that the NDA Government has broken the national consensus on important issues like Foreign Policy. He further cautioned against water disputes which are posing challenges to the integrity of the country and asked the Government to have political will in solving them.<br/><br/>He highlighted the need for formulating a clear policy to prevent atrocities on Daliths and weaker sections. Vinay P. Sahasrabuddhe of the BJP and Swapan Dasgupta, nominated member also participated in the discussion which remained inconclusive.

Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today said the government has taken several measures to make India transparent and free from black money. He said demonetization process to ban the high value currency notes was supported by the people. <br/><br/>The Minister said following demonetization, funding for terror and Maoist activities and unlawful money transactions have significantly come down. Speaking on a Motion of Thanks to the President for his address to the joint sitting of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, he said the NDA Government is the first to recognise the strengths of the common man. He said the common people getting Padma awards this year is another example. <br/><br/>Highlighting the various initiatives and programmes undertaken by the government, Mr Prasad said they are helping the transformation of India to become stronger, vibrant and corruption-free country in the world. He said India has set an example in many fields for the rest of the world and 177 countries adapting 21st of June every year as International Yoga Day is a glaring example of this.<br/><br/>Leader of Opposition Gulam Nabi Azad said the Government has failed to contain infiltration of terrorism and in protecting the lives of security forces during the avalanches. He suggested the government to prepare a lasting solution to improve connectivity in the valley. He alleged that the maximum number of ceasefire violations occurred during the NDA tenure. <br/><br/>Refusing to take the Government's claim that the common man welcomed demonetisation, Mr Azad said it helped increasing black money and posed more challenges to the people. The Discussion is continuing.<br/><br/>Speaking on the Motion of Thanks to the President for his address to the joint sitting of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, Navaneethakrishnan of the AIADMK demanded the Government to permanently exempt Tamil Nadu from the NEET exam for admission in the courses like MBBS and Dental Sciences as the state syllabus is different from that of the Centre. <br/><br/>He also sought a permanent solution to be evolved for the Fishermen issues.<br/>Neeraj Shekhar of the Samajwadi Party criticised the Government saying that the Country needs actual implementation of all its claims.<br/><br/> Derek O'Brien of the TMC demanded removal of all restrictions imposed on withdrawal of cash post demonetisation. He alleged that the Government has merged the Railway Budget with the General Budget to mask the deficiencies in Railways. He asked the Government to increase the budget allocations for Beti Bachao and Beti Padhav.<br/><br/>D Raja of the CPI alleged that the NDA Government has broken the national consensus on important policies like Foreign Policy. He further cautioned that the water disputes are posing major challenges to the integrity of the country and asked to have political will to solve them. He also sought clear policy to prevent atrocities on Daliths and weaker sections. Swapan Dasgupta, nominated member also participated. The discussion remained inconclusive as the house adjourned for the day.

Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today said the government has taken several measures to make India transparent and free from black money. He said demonetization process to ban the high value currency notes was supported by the people. <br/><br/>The Minister said following demonetization, funding for terror and Maoist activities and unlawful money transactions have significantly come down. Speaking on a Motion of Thanks to the President for his address to the joint sitting of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, he said the NDA Government is the first to recognise the strengths of the common man. He said the common people getting Padma awards this year is another example. <br/><br/>Highlighting the various initiatives and programmes undertaken by the government, Mr Prasad said they are helping the transformation of India to become stronger, vibrant and corruption-free country in the world. He said India has set an example in many fields for the rest of the world and 177 countries adapting 21st of June every year as International Yoga Day is a glaring example of this.<br/><br/> Leader of Opposition Gulam Nabi Azad said the Government has failed to contain infiltration of terrorism and in protecting the lives of security forces during the avalanches. He suggested the government to prepare a lasting solution to improve connectivity in the valley. He alleged that the maximum number of ceasefire violations occurred during the NDA tenure. <br/><br/>Refusing to take the Government's claim that the common man welcomed demonetisation, Mr Azad said it helped increasing black money and posed more challenges to the people. The Discussion is continuing.