New Delhi: The stage is set for a potentially turbulent Winter Session of Parliament, beginning Monday, November 25th, and running until December 20th. A packed legislative agenda, coupled with simmering political tensions, promises a session rife with both legislative action and partisan clashes.
The session is poised to witness a battle between the ruling coalition’s legislative priorities and the INDIA bloc’s determination to leverage Parliament’s platform for political manoeuvring.
The government has lined up numerous bills for consideration and passage, including several significant pieces of legislation. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is central to the agenda, requiring the joint committee’s report by the end of the first week. The maritime sector will also be in focus with the introduction of the Merchant Shipping Bill, the Coastal Shipping Bill, and the Indian Ports Bill, aimed at modernising India’s maritime infrastructure and ensuring adherence to international treaties.
Other key bills include the Boilers Bill, the Rashtriya Sahkari Vishwavidyalaya Bill, and the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill.
A wider array of bills await introduction and consideration, ranging from the Wakf (Repeal) Bill and the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak to amendments in disaster management, Goa’s Scheduled Tribe representation in Assembly Constituencies, and even the Railways and Banking Laws. The scope of the proposed legislation is vast, covering a wide range of sectors and societal concerns.
However, the legislative agenda is only one part of the story. The INDIA bloc, representing a powerful opposition coalition, will meet on November 25th to strategise their approach. Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, is expected to guide the opposition’s parliamentary strategy, with a focus on raising crucial issues like the Manipur situation and allegations surrounding the Adani Group.
Additionally the Bills of Lading Bill, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, the Railways (Amendment) Bill, the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, and the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill.
In anticipation of these challenges, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, following an all-party meeting, emphasized the government’s readiness to engage in discussions on all matters and expressed hope for a smooth session “A total of 42 leaders from 30 political parties were present in the meeting. There are many topics. Everyone has asked for discussion on some topics but we want that there should be a good discussion in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The government is ready to discuss any topic. Our only request is that the House should run well and there should be no ruckus. Every member wants to participate in the discussion but the House should run well. To run the winter session well, everyone’s cooperation is needed and everyone’s participation is necessary,” Rijiju had said.
