Winter Session of Parliament Begins, Key Bills on Agenda

The Winter Session of Parliament commenced today, with three significant bills on the agenda. Following the NDA’s sweeping victories in Haryana and Maharashtra, the government appears poised for a strong showing. Here are the top 10 highlights from the session so far:

1. PM Modi’s Address: Speaking before the session began, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Congress, accusing it of disrespecting Parliament and democracy after repeated electoral defeats. He expressed hope for constructive debates during the session.
2. Opposition’s Protest: Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned shortly after convening, as the Opposition raised slogans on various issues, including law and order in Manipur and unemployment.
3. INDIA Bloc Meeting: Opposition leaders from the INDIA alliance met ahead of the session to strategize. Congress leader Pramod Tiwari raised concerns about violence in Manipur, rising unemployment, and worsening pollution in northern India.
4. Government’s Call for Cooperation: On Sunday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting with leaders of all political parties, urging smooth functioning of Parliament. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju sought their cooperation.
5. Session Timeline: The Winter Session will run until December 20, with discussions on several critical bills planned during this period.
6. Waqf Amendment Bill: Among the bills up for discussion is the Waqf Amendment Bill, alongside the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill.
7. Banking Laws Amendment Bill: In the Lok Sabha, the government is set to introduce amendments to key banking laws, including the Reserve Bank of India Act, Banking Regulation Act, and others.
8. Railway Act Amendments: A bill to amend the Railway Act is also on the docket, aiming to address regulatory and operational concerns.
9. ‘One Nation, One Election’ Speculation: Speculation remains that the government may introduce a bill on the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, a plan Prime Minister Modi has strongly advocated for.
10. Aviation Legislation in Rajya Sabha: The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024 Bill, which seeks to regulate aircraft design, manufacture, maintenance, and operations, will be taken up in the upper house.

The session promises a mix of legislative action and heated debates as both the government and opposition push their agendas.