Winter Session: Govt Urges Smooth Functioning As 16 Bills On Agenda, Faces Oppn’s Demands On Manipur, Pollution

The government announced on Sunday that the business advisory committees of both Houses would decide on matters to be discussed in the Winter session after opposition demands to discuss bribery allegations against the Adani Group. The government appealed to all parties to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament.
Ahead of the Winter session starting Monday, ruling party leaders, including Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, held a meeting with floor leaders from various political parties.
Reacting to questions on the demand of the opposition for the Adanai issue, Rijiju stated that the committees, in consultation with the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairperson, would determine discussion topics in Parliament.
During the meeting, Congress representatives highlighted the need to address the Adani bribery allegations and the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi emphasised the party’s demand to discuss these issues, questioning the government’s support for Manipur’s chief minister despite the unrest. Congress also called for debates on the spike in air pollution in northern India and train accidents.
Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari stressed the urgency of addressing the Adani issue, describing it as a serious matter affecting national economic and security interests. He referred to allegations that the Adani Group paid politicians and bureaucrats over Rs 2,300 crore to secure favourable deals for solar energy projects. However, the group has denied these accusations.
US prosecutors have charged billionaire Gautam Adani for reportedly participating in a scheme to pay USD 265 million (about Rs 2,200 crore) in bribes to Indian officials in exchange for favourable terms for solar power contracts.
The meeting was attended by BJP president J.P. Nadda, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Gaurav Gogoi, and representatives from other parties, including T. Siva, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and Anupriya Patel.
<h3>16 Bills, Including Waqf (Amendment) Bill To Be Discuss During Winter Session Of Parliament</h3>
The winter session of Parliament, starting on Monday, would run until December 20, with the government scheduling 16 bills for consideration, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, is set for review and passage after the submission of a report by the joint parliamentary committee. The committee is likely to submit its report by the end of the first week of the Winter session.
However, opposition members have requested an extension, alleging that the committee chair, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, is rushing proceedings. They have sought intervention from Speaker Om Birla to address the issue.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju acknowledged that the timeline for the joint committee could be extended but noted that no discussions on this matter have occurred yet. He emphasised that the discussion for the issue of extension of time for the panel is typically made by the Lok Sabha’s business advisory committee.
The session’s agenda also includes the presentation, discussion, and voting on the First Batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for the financial year 2024-25. Among the new bills for introduction, consideration, and passage is the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to increase the monetary jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.
Other key legislation includes the Merchant Shipping Bill, intended to align with India’s commitments under international maritime treaties, as well as the Coastal Shipping Bill and the Indian Ports Bill.
Currently, eight bills, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, are pending in the Lok Sabha. Meanwhile, two bills are pending in the Rajya Sabha, including the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, which has already been approved by the Lower House.
Proposed legislation for simultaneous national and state elections has not yet been included in the session’s agenda, though reports suggest it may be introduced later.
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