The Government on Wednesday informed the Rajya Sabha that it has taken all measures to prevent circulation of fake currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 denomination and all stake holders including common people were being sensitised about the special security features of the new notes launched after demonetisation in November last year. Issues like vacancy of judges in High Courts, affect of pollution on Taj Mahal and delay in using Member of Parliament local Area Development (MPlAD) scheme funds also figured in the House.
Assuring the House that the Government was making all efforts to prevent fake currency circulation, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said it was not possible to copy all the highly sophisticated and complex security features incorporated in the new notes. He said this when some MPs including Chhaya Verma and Anand Sharma (Congress) expressed concern over fake notes posing a threat to the economy and national security.
The Minister said the new features were fool proof and stringent punishment was provided for circulating fake notes. Moreover, the Government in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of India(RBI) was regularly educating all stake holders including the masses through campaigns.
Raising the issue of vacancies in judiciary, Majeed Memon (NCP) said the provision of speedy and inexpensive justice to the people was the solemn duty of the State in coordination with judiciary.
Citing figures of vacancies in different high courts of the country, the NCP member said in totality, the sanctioned strength of judges was 712 and vacancies were almost 300. He said there were 40 lakh pending cases in various courts.
Responding to concern raised by Surendra Singh Nagar (SP)over affect of pollution on Taj Mahal, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said a kind of mud therapy cleared by scientific agencies was used to restore the glow of marble. Nagar said the colour was changing and also referred to impact of insects on the monument.
Sharma said a kind of mud therapy, involving application of a paste of 'multani mitti', was being undertaken to preserve the colour of the monument. It has been applied on three-fourths of the structure and is “showing results,” he added.
Naresh Agrawal(SP) raised the issue of delay in disbursing MPlAD funds and demanded a review of the system besides disciplinary action against district officials for delay as they are responsible for usage of funds.