Govt. taking steps towards cleaner environment: Prez Mukherjee

President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre has taken several steps for promoting a cleaner environment, adding that environmental clearances have been made more transparent.

"My government took several proactive steps for protecting wildlife and for promoting cleaner environment. Stringent emission norms for cement industry were prescribed. Real-time online monitoring of industrial units in 17 critically polluting sectors was started and National Air Quality Index launched," President Mukherjee said, during his joint address to both Houses of the parliament.

"Government has taken significant steps to streamline clearance processes in environmental sector by bringing in transparency and by empowering state governments. Online application processes for environment, forest and CRZ Clearances were introduced from July 2014," he added.

The Budget Session of the Parliament began shortly after Presdient Mukherjee's joint address to both the Houses of the Parliament.

The Budget Session contains 44 items of financial, legislative and non-legislative business.

The first part of the Budget Session will continue till March 20 while the second part will commence after a month-long break from April 20 and conclude on May 8.

The Rail Budget will be presented on February 26, Economic Survey on February 27 and General Budget on February 28.