The Lok Sabha has taken up discussion on motion of thanks on the President's address to the Joint Sitting of both the Houses of Parliament. Initiating the discussion P C Chacko of the Congress lauded the efforts of the UPA governments to address the problem of economic slowdown. He said India has performed well in the financial sector in the backdrop of global economic slowdown. He said the government has responded in time to the situation. He said the roll out of the Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) scheme will benefit the people through Aadhaar enabled Card in getting pensions, scholarships and other benefits offered by the government. He said the DBT system will eliminate middlemen and help the beneficiary directly. Mr Chacko said the government has taken several measures to eradicate poverty and cited the example of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. He said some of the opposition-ruled states continue to implement majority of the flagship programmes of the UPA government.
The discussion is continuing.