<span style="color: #222222;">The Rajya Sabha has returned the Appropriations Bill to the Lok Sabha. It has also returned the Appropriation Bills related to Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry. These Bills were cleared with voice vote.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Replying to the discussion, Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur said, Government has strengthened the Armed Forces of the country by providing them fighter jets like Rafale and also Bullet Proof Jackets for their security.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said, Government is working with the mantra of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwaas and the aim is to make the country self reliant.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Minister said, in the last six years Foreign Exchange Reserve has been doubled to 590 billion Dollars from 298 billion Dollars in 2014.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said, Goods and Services Tax, GST witnessed collection of 1 lakh crore rupees recently.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He added that Corporate tax rate is the lowest in India to boost manufacturing and employment generation.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Mr Thakur said, Rs. 72 crore have been given to 9 crore farmers under PM KISAN.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said, through MGNREGA people are getting their wages through Direct Benefit Transfer.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Speaking on Jammu and Kashmir appropriation Bills, the Minister said, there is a 7 per cent increase in the Budget for the Union territory this year compared to last year.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said, Government will give homes to 6 thousand Kashmiri pandits. He said, after abrogation of Article 370, the number terror attacks, stone pelting and ceasefire violations have come down.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said, Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing development in all sectors including roads, railways, power and housing.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Participating in the discussion, Nasir Hussain of Congress accused the Centre of pulling down Government in Puducherry.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He also questioned Government's claim with regard to development projects in Jammu and Kashmir. </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Shakti Sinh Gohil of Congress, Ashok Bajpai, Shwait Malik and Sanjay Seth of BJP, N D Gupta of AAP, Prof Ram Gopal Yadav of Samajwadi party and others participated in the discussion.</span>