New Delhi, March 17 -- Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday welcomed the extensive discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the functioning of the Ministry of Rural Development, noting that it marked the longest-ever debate on demands for grants for any department.

Addressing the Upper House, Chouhan expressed gratitude to members for giving significant importance to rural development and village-centric issues. He highlighted that 54 members participated in the debate, which spanned four days.

"54 people have spoken in this discussion. Today is the fourth day, and as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister mentioned, this has become the longest discussion ever held on the demands for grants of any department, this one being on rural deve...