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Winter Session 2025 Concludes on a Tense Note After Passage of New Rural Employment Law

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com
Parliament Winter Session 2025

Parliament’s Winter Session of 2025 concluded abruptly on December 19, with both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die shortly after resuming for the day. The closing moments mirrored the overall tone of the session—intense, confrontational, and dominated by political disagreement, particularly over the newly passed Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, or VB-G RAM G Bill.

What was expected to be a routine final sitting instead unfolded as a continuation of the unrest that had marked the previous day. Protests by Opposition members, which had extended overnight within the Parliament complex, set the backdrop for a session that ended without further legislative business.

Protests Spill Over Into the Final Day

Opposition parties remained firm in their opposition to the VB-G RAM G Bill, which replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a programme that has been in place for nearly two decades. The Bill’s passage earlier triggered strong reactions, with Opposition leaders accusing the government of pushing through a major policy change without sufficient consultation or scrutiny.

By the final morning, tensions had not eased. Opposition members reiterated their objections and announced plans to carry their protest beyond Parliament, signalling nationwide demonstrations. They argued that the new law weakens rural employment protections and dismantles an existing social safety net.

Rajya Sabha Session Formally Concluded

In the Rajya Sabha, Vice-President and Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan formally brought the 269th session to a close. In his concluding remarks, he described the session as productive overall, citing improved participation during Question Hour and Zero Hour.

At the same time, he expressed strong disapproval of the conduct witnessed during the previous day’s proceedings. Referring to scenes where members protested during a minister’s reply and tore documents, he said such actions were not in keeping with the dignity of the House. The Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die with the customary playing of Vande Mataram.

Lok Sabha Adjourned Amid Continuing Protests

Soon after, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the Lok Sabha sine die as protests continued within the House. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present during the adjournment, which effectively ended the Winter Session on a tense and unresolved note.

The scenes in the Lok Sabha reflected the sharp divide between the government and the Opposition, with the VB-G RAM G Bill remaining the central point of contention even after its passage.

Productivity Figures Despite Disruptions

Despite the political turbulence, parliamentary authorities highlighted strong productivity during the session. The Rajya Sabha recorded productivity of 121 per cent, while the Lok Sabha achieved 111 per cent. Several government Bills were introduced and passed, indicating that legislative business continued at a steady pace for much of the session.

However, the final days underscored how political disagreements can overshadow legislative achievements, particularly when major policy shifts are involved.

Political Reactions Continue After Adjournment

Reactions to the VB-G RAM G Bill remained sharp even after Parliament adjourned. Opposition leaders described the legislation as detrimental to rural workers and accused the government of undermining employment security. Some warned that public resistance could intensify and suggested that sustained pressure might force a reconsideration of the law, drawing parallels with past policy reversals.

The government, meanwhile, has maintained that the new law represents a modernised approach to rural employment, aligned with long-term development goals. These opposing narratives are expected to dominate political discourse in the coming weeks.

An Attempt to Restore Dialogue

Following the adjournment, Speaker Om Birla met leaders of various political parties in his chamber. Such meetings are a customary post-session practice, aimed at easing tensions and reopening channels of dialogue after contentious sittings.

Whether this engagement will translate into consensus remains uncertain, as the debate over rural employment reform now moves beyond Parliament and into the public domain.

A Session That Sets the Tone Ahead

As Parliament rose, the Winter Session of 2025 came to be defined by a mix of high legislative output and deep political division. The passage of the VB-G RAM G Bill ensured that the session will be remembered not just for the number of laws passed, but for the intensity of the debate surrounding one of them.

With protests expected to continue outside the House, the issues raised during the session are likely to shape political discussions well beyond the winter recess.

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Lok Sabha Approves a Major Change in Rural Employment Policy

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com
Parliament Winter Session day 14

The Lok Sabha on December 18, 2025, passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), known as the VB-G RAM G Bill, bringing a significant change to India’s rural employment framework. The legislation seeks to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which has been in place for nearly two decades, with a new programme guaranteeing 125 days of employment each year.

The Bill was passed through a voice vote amid protests by Opposition members, who raised slogans and expressed objections during the proceedings. Despite the disruptions, the government maintained that the legislation represents a necessary update to align rural employment policy with current development priorities.

Government’s Rationale for Replacing MGNREGA

Responding to a lengthy debate that stretched over eight hours, Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan defended the decision to replace MGNREGA. He argued that while the earlier scheme played an important role in providing income support, it had limitations that needed to be addressed.

According to the Minister, large public expenditures—estimated at ₹10–11 lakh crore over the years—had primarily gone toward wage payments. He stated that the new approach aims to balance employment generation with the creation of durable assets that contribute to long-term rural development. The emphasis, he said, should be on building “fully developed villages” rather than focusing only on short-term employment relief.

Focus Areas Under the New Programme

The VB-G RAM G Bill outlines a broader scope of work compared to its predecessor. The government has said the programme will prioritise projects related to water security, including the construction of lakes, water bodies, and micro-irrigation channels. These initiatives are intended to address chronic water shortages and improve agricultural resilience.

In addition, the scheme will support the development of core rural and livelihood infrastructure, such as access roads and facilities linked to local economic activity. Special provisions have also been included for works aimed at reducing the impact of extreme weather events, reflecting growing concerns around climate variability in rural areas.

All assets created under the programme will be digitally mapped and integrated into the proposed Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack. The government has described this as a way to improve transparency, planning, and coordination across rural development initiatives.

Opposition Objections and Demand for Scrutiny

At the start of the sitting, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal requested that the Bill be referred to a parliamentary committee for detailed examination. He argued that a policy shift of this scale required deeper scrutiny and wider consultation.

Speaker Om Birla declined the request, noting that 98 members from across party lines had already participated in the debate, which extended past midnight the previous day. He said the House had given sufficient time for discussion and that the legislative process had been followed.

As the debate progressed, Opposition members continued to protest, with some entering the well of the House and tearing copies of the Bill. The disruptions underscored the political sensitivity surrounding changes to a flagship rural employment programme.

Sharp Political Exchanges in the House

During his reply, Mr. Chouhan strongly criticised the Congress, accusing it of selectively invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy while failing to uphold Gandhian values in practice. He said that refusing to engage with differing viewpoints also went against the principles associated with Gandhi.

The Minister argued that the current government’s welfare initiatives reflected those ideals more effectively. He cited schemes such as PM Awas Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, and Ayushman Bharat as examples of policies aimed at improving dignity and quality of life for the poor.

He also pointed out that the rural employment scheme was initially launched as NREGA and that Mahatma Gandhi’s name was added later, ahead of the 2009 general elections. This, he suggested, was a political decision rather than a reflection of the programme’s core philosophy.

Linking the Bill to Long-Term Development Goals

Mr. Chouhan stated that the VB-G RAM G Bill should be viewed as part of a larger statutory framework aligned with the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He maintained that the new programme is designed to modernise rural employment by integrating it with infrastructure development, climate adaptation, and digital governance.

The Minister also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with ensuring the effective implementation of MGNREGA during his tenure, countering Opposition claims that the new Bill undermines earlier welfare efforts. According to him, the proposed law builds on past experience while updating the structure to meet future needs.

What the Passage of the Bill Signals

The passage of the VB-G RAM G Bill marks a turning point in how rural employment is structured in India. Supporters see it as an attempt to move beyond wage support toward asset creation and village-level development. Critics, however, remain concerned about implementation, safeguards, and whether the new framework will provide the same level of employment security as MGNREGA.

With the Bill now cleared by the Lok Sabha, attention will shift to how the programme is rolled out on the ground and how effectively it balances employment generation with long-term rural infrastructure goals.

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Winter Session Heats Up Over Welfare and Economic Reforms

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com
Parliament Winter Session 2025

December 16, 2025, proved to be one of the most contentious days of the Winter Session of Parliament. From the moment proceedings began, both Houses were engulfed in tension, repeated disruptions, and sharp ideological clashes. At the centre of the storm was the government’s move to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act with a new framework, the VB–G RAM G Bill, 2025.

For the Opposition, this was not a routine policy shift. They framed it as a fundamental assault on a landmark welfare law and a symbolic erasure of Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy from public policy.

MGNREGA and the Battle Over Legacy

As soon as the Bill was taken up in the Lok Sabha, protests erupted. Opposition members argued that MGNREGA was more than an employment programme—it represented guaranteed dignity through work and embodied Gandhian principles of decentralisation and village self-rule.

Rahul Gandhi led the Opposition’s attack, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ideological hostility toward both Mahatma Gandhi and the rural poor. He reminded the House of MGNREGA’s role as a crucial economic safety net during the COVID-19 crisis and alleged that the scheme had been deliberately weakened through underfunding and administrative neglect over the past decade. According to him, the new Bill was an attempt to dismantle the programme under the cover of reform.

Renaming or Rewriting Rights

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sharpened the critique, accusing the government of prioritising renaming over genuine improvement. She warned that the VB–G RAM G Bill diluted legally enforceable rights, weakened transparency, and shifted power away from Panchayati Raj institutions toward the Centre. Questioning the removal of Gandhi’s name, she described the move as politically driven and socially damaging, arguing that it undermined local self-governance and accountability.

Independent MP Pappu Yadav echoed these concerns in forceful terms, calling the renaming an attack on the nation’s moral foundation. He accused the government of authoritarian tendencies while insisting that Gandhi’s ideas could not be erased through legislation.

Ideology Meets Economics

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor offered a more layered critique, describing the renaming as ideologically loaded and inappropriate for a socio-economic welfare scheme. He objected to the use of religious symbolism in the new title and warned that shifting nearly 40 percent of the financial burden to states, while promising additional days of work, would strain poorer states and weaken the programme. Drawing on Gandhian philosophy and literature, Tharoor cautioned against dishonouring a legacy rooted in dignity and social justice.

Government Stands Its Ground

Despite the protests, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju made it clear that the government would not retreat. He stated that while the Opposition had the right to protest or walk out, the government had a duty to carry forward its legislative agenda. Objections, he argued, should focus on constitutional and procedural grounds rather than symbolism.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan formally moved the motion to introduce the VB–G RAM G Bill, presenting it as a modernised framework aimed at improving rural employment outcomes. His remarks, however, were repeatedly drowned out by sloganeering, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the Lok Sabha till 2 pm.

Insurance Reform Sparks Another Flashpoint

The turbulence was not limited to rural employment. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Insurance Laws Amendment Bill, proposing to raise foreign direct investment in the insurance sector to 100 percent. The move triggered loud Opposition protests over fears of foreign control and the future of public sector insurers.

Defending the proposal, Sitharaman argued that expanding insurance coverage was essential for inclusive growth and pointed to increased coverage for vulnerable populations, including during the pandemic.

Rajya Sabha: Welfare Beyond Employment

In the Rajya Sabha, Sonia Gandhi shifted attention to the working conditions of women frontline workers such as ASHA and Anganwadi workers. She highlighted low wages, heavy workloads, lack of social security, and delayed payments, urging the Centre to increase funding, fill vacancies, and strengthen rural health and nutrition services.

Economic Data and Legislative Scrutiny

The government also revealed key economic data during the session. Minister Jitin Prasada informed the Lok Sabha that India’s trade deficit with China had widened significantly, prompting the formation of an inter-ministerial committee to review trade patterns and suggest corrective measures.

Meanwhile, the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 was referred to a Joint Committee for detailed scrutiny, while Opposition MPs objected to the sudden inclusion of the Atomic Bill as supplementary business, alleging inadequate transparency.

Language, Federalism, and Sporting Politics

Additional friction arose over language and symbolism. P Chidambaram criticised the use of Hindi titles written in English script for Bills, calling it exclusionary and dismissive of non-Hindi-speaking states. Protests also broke out over plans to host the Commonwealth Games 2030 solely in Ahmedabad, with demands that Haryana be included as a co-host.

Amid the chaos, Union Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted nearly 20 percent growth in marine exports, presenting it as evidence of economic resilience despite global uncertainties.

A Day That Laid Bare Political Fault Lines

By the end of the day, Parliament stood adjourned amid unresolved tensions. The proceedings exposed deep divisions over welfare policy, federal balance, economic liberalisation, language, and the symbolic role of Mahatma Gandhi in modern governance. December 16 underscored how legislation in India is often as much about ideology and identity as it is about policy.

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A New Blueprint for Higher Education Takes Shape in Parliament

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com
Parliament Winter session 2025

On December 15, 2025, the Winter Session of Parliament marked a significant milestone for India’s education landscape. Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan introduced the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, signalling the government’s intent to fundamentally reshape how higher education is governed and regulated in the country.

The Bill’s introduction stood out amid a session dominated by political sparring, positioning education reform as a central pillar of India’s long-term development agenda.

Moving Away From a Fragmented System

For decades, India’s higher education sector has operated under multiple regulatory bodies, often leading to overlapping mandates, slow approvals, and policy inconsistency. The proposed legislation seeks to end this fragmentation by establishing a single apex authority called the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan.

If enacted, the new body will absorb the roles of existing regulators such as the University Grants Commission, the All India Council for Technical Education, and the National Council for Teacher Education. The objective is clear: streamline governance, cut red tape, and ensure that institutions deal with one coherent regulatory system instead of many.

Three Councils, One Unified Vision

Rather than concentrating power in a single vertical, the proposed framework introduces a structured approach through three independent councils. Each council will focus on a distinct area—academic standards, regulation, and accreditation.

This separation is intended to strengthen transparency and accountability, ensuring that quality assurance, compliance, and benchmarking are handled with clarity and independence. Supporters of the Bill argue that such a structure could reduce arbitrary decision-making while raising institutional trust in the regulatory process.

Technology at the Core of Reform

One of the most notable features of the Bill is its emphasis on a technology-driven, faceless approval system. The proposed single-window digital mechanism aims to simplify permissions, reduce delays, and limit human discretion in decision-making.

By relying on transparent digital processes, the government hopes to make compliance easier for institutions, encourage faster approvals, and create a more predictable regulatory environment. This shift is also seen as a move toward aligning Indian higher education governance with global best practices.

Autonomy, Innovation, and Global Aspirations

The Bill places strong emphasis on granting greater autonomy to high-performing institutions. By reducing excessive regulatory controls, it seeks to encourage innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and research excellence.

At the same time, the framework aims to ensure that autonomy does not come at the cost of equity. The legislation underscores the importance of expanding access to quality education, particularly as India works to position itself as a global education hub.

In Step With NEP 2020

The proposed law closely aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, which called for systemic reforms, institutional autonomy, and a simplified regulatory architecture. In that sense, the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill can be seen as a legislative bridge between policy vision and on-ground implementation.

By embedding NEP principles into law, the government is signalling its intent to move from reform rhetoric to structural change.

Why This Bill Matters

The introduction of the Bill represents more than administrative restructuring. It reflects a broader vision of preparing India’s higher education system for the demands of a rapidly changing global economy—one that values flexibility, innovation, and international competitiveness.

As parliamentary scrutiny and debate unfold in the coming weeks, the Bill is expected to draw wide attention from universities, educators, and students alike.

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Government Open to Structured Debate on Air Pollution as Opposition Pushes for Urgent Action

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Lok Sabha

Amid intensifying concerns about toxic air across several Indian cities, the government has indicated that it is prepared to hold a detailed discussion on air pollution in the Lok Sabha. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that since the Leader of the Opposition raised the matter in the Business Advisory Committee, the government must examine how such a discussion can be formally structured under parliamentary rules. His remarks suggested both willingness and procedural caution, signalling that the stage is being set for a multi-party conversation.

Rijiju reiterated that the government, from day one of the Winter Session, has been open to discussing all major national issues and considering constructive suggestions from the opposition. His comments come at a time when MPs across party lines have repeatedly flagged alarming pollution levels, especially in large urban centres.

Rahul Gandhi Calls for a Non-Ideological, Unified Response

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi emphasised that the worsening air quality is a nationwide challenge, not a political battleground. He expressed hope that the topic would not be reduced to ideological point-scoring, insisting that all parties share common ground on the urgency of clean air.

Gandhi urged the government to prepare a credible national strategy to reduce pollution, and assured that the opposition, including the Congress, would support any serious effort to create actionable solutions. His insistence that the discussion move swiftly reflects the pressure many urban constituencies are feeling as health warnings intensify.

Persistent Demands from the Opposition Bloc

Opposition parties have been calling for the debate since the start of the Winter Session, arguing that air quality has reached a point where legislative intervention is unavoidable. Congress whip Manickam Tagore reiterated the urgency, telling the House that millions of citizens face a “health emergency” that can no longer be brushed aside. With particulate matter levels spiking across northern India, several MPs have echoed similar concerns.

Momentum Builds for a Full-Fledged Parliamentary Discussion

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, acknowledging the seriousness of the matter, has already held initial conversations with both the government and opposition leaders regarding the feasibility of a focused discussion. His involvement indicates that the House is moving closer to dedicating formal time to the subject.

If the discussion proceeds, it may open the door to cross-party collaboration on long-pending reforms in urban planning, industrial regulation, transport policy, and emergency-response preparedness. For now, the tone on both sides appears unusually aligned: the crisis cannot be ignored, and the debate must happen.

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Heated Exchanges Mark Parliament , Ninth Sitting of the Winter Session

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com
Parliament Winter Session 2025 Day 9

On the ninth day of the Winter Session, Parliament delivered yet another reminder of how layered, charged and unpredictable legislative days in India can be. Both Houses convened with packed agendas, shifting seamlessly between governance, ideology, cultural identity, and political confrontation before finally adjourning for the day.

Lok Sabha: Policy, Pollution and Pointed Exchanges

The Lok Sabha opened with Question Hour and quickly moved into dense legislative business. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Appropriation (No. 4) Bill, 2025—an essential step to authorise additional expenditure for the current financial year. This was followed by a key procedural development: the extension of the joint committee scrutinising the One Nation–One Election proposal until the Budget Session of 2026, signalling that the government intends to take its time shaping one of its most ambitious election reform ideas.

Beyond budgetary matters, the House wrestled with issues that hit much closer to the ground. Delhi’s worsening air pollution resurfaced as a major concern, with MPs demanding a comprehensive clean-air blueprint inspired by global models like Beijing’s aggressive anti-smog strategy. Environmental debates deepened further when several members objected to proposed oil and gas exploration in the fragile Gulf of Mannar ecosystem.

The session took an unexpected turn when BJP MP Anurag Thakur alleged that a Trinamool Congress MP had used a banned e-cigarette inside the chamber—prompting Speaker Om Birla to firmly remind the House that such conduct is not permissible. The accusation triggered murmurs, counterpoints and heated interventions across party benches.

Political temperatures rose further when Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp critique of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s earlier remarks during the electoral reforms debate. Gandhi described Shah as “very nervous” and under pressure, adding yet another chapter to the ongoing tug-of-war between the opposition and the treasury benches.

Rajya Sabha: Vande Mataram, Electoral Reforms and Spirited Interruptions

The Rajya Sabha carried its own brand of spirited debates. The discussion on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram continued, a session that was expected to be ceremonial but instead evolved into a clash of political philosophies.

BJP president J.P. Nadda defended the government’s cultural position, accusing Congress of inconsistency and disregard for national symbols. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge promptly interrupted, arguing that the conversation had drifted from celebrating Vande Mataram to attacking historical figures like Jawaharlal Nehru. The exchange underscored how cultural topics in Parliament often become battlegrounds for broader political narratives.

Parallel to the cultural debate, the Upper House continued its engagement with electoral reforms. Several BJP speakers were lined up to present their arguments on proposed changes to the electoral framework, emphasising transparency and modernisation—an ongoing theme across both chambers this session.

A Day of Unfinished Arguments and Unresolved Questions

After hours of debate, disruptions and crossfire on issues ranging from national symbols to financial authorisations, both Houses were adjourned with plans to reconvene at 11 am on Friday. The day offered a vivid snapshot of India’s democratic machinery—messy, loud, ideological, but undeniably active.

With the Winter Session entering a critical phase, these debates are shaping narratives on governance, transparency, national identity and electoral change—setting the tone for the political months ahead.

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A Day of High Drama: What Went Down in Parliament

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com
Parliament Winter Session 2025 Day 7

The day in the Parliament began with the lower house locked in a furious, nearly 10-hour debate on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Government lawmakers defended the exercise as a constitutionally valid, technologically enhanced method to eliminate duplicate, migrated, and deceased voter entries and ensure cleaner, more accurate voter lists. On the other side, the Opposition painted it as a selective, partisan exercise that disproportionately impacts minority and opposition-leaning constituencies calling it “vote-chori” and questioning the neutrality of the Election Commission of India (EC). Demands for transparency, full roll-verification, and independent auditing echoed throughout the proceedings.

Meanwhile, in the upper house a ceremony meant to commemorate 150 years of Vande Mataram turned into a bitter debate about national identity and cultural symbolism. The ruling alliance insisted the song be institutionally honoured for its historical role uniting freedom fighters; the Opposition countered that patriotism cannot be enforced by legislation, accusing the treasury benches of playing identity politics and ignoring urgent social and economic issues.

Overlapping with these flashpoints, the nation’s aviation system battered by repeated cancellations and passenger chaos came under fire. The Civil Aviation Ministry faced tough questions over a recent spate of flight disruptions by IndiGo. In response, the minister announced that new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) for pilots are now in force to curb crew fatigue and improve safety. The House was told airlines, including IndiGo, would face strict DGCA oversight; regulators may penalize future lapses, and a parliamentary standing committee has asked to summon airline executives and DGCA officials next week to investigate the systemic breakdown.

On internal security, the Home Ministry laid bare recent gains in the fight against left-wing extremism, reporting that since 2019, 29 top Maoist leaders have been neutralised, over 7,300 cadres arrested, and roughly 5,571 militants surrendered. According to the government, the number of “severely affected” districts has shrunk thanks to increased security deployments, better inter-agency intel-sharing, and developmental outreach. MPs pressed for details on rehabilitation for surrendered cadres and sought fresh district-wise data.

Adding another layer, Parliament’s committees revealed economic and administrative developments: public-sector banks have written off more than ₹6.15 lakh crore in bad loans over recent years, prompting opposition demands for a full disclosure of beneficiaries and recovery breakdowns. The government announced plans to shut down 25 loss-making central PSUs under its restructuring drive triggering concerns about job security, asset valuation, and possible privatization. On the taxation front, simpler income-tax return forms are reportedly coming soon, aimed at easing compliance.

Last but perhaps most explosive: the opposition bloc formally signalled its intention to bring an impeachment motion against Justice G. R. Swaminathan of the Madras High Court, citing alleged misconduct. If they secure the necessary signatures, this could trigger a major constitutional confrontation between Parliament and the judiciary.

As the Winter Session (scheduled from December 1–19, 2025) enters its second week, what began as a planned session has evolved into one of the most turbulent, politically charged sittings in recent memory with every debate, symbolic gesture, and procedural move turned into a battleground of competing narratives about democracy, governance, identity, and institutional trust.

Why Today Matters: The Stakes Are Bigger Than Politics

  • The SIR debate is about more than updating voter lists, it strikes at the heart of electoral fairness and democracy, raising questions about who gets to vote and whose votes may be discarded.
  • The “Vande Mataram” controversy illustrates how cultural and symbolic politics can overshadow substantive issues like economy, jobs, public welfare.
  • The IndiGo crisis underscores systemic vulnerabilities in essential public services and highlights the challenge of regulating large private players under public interest.
  • Security updates on left-wing extremism point to government claims of success but the call for data and rehabilitation signals continuing skepticism.
  • Economic disclosures and PSU shutdowns reflect broader structural changes, but also spark anxiety over job security and transparency.
  • The potential impeachment of a High Court judge threatens a constitutional standoff raising fundamental questions about checks and balances, judicial independence, and parliamentary power.

In short: what unfolded today isn’t just politics as usual. It is a microcosm of India’s larger struggles — about identity and inclusion, about economic reform and fairness, about institutional integrity and trust — and a clear signal that the next few months in Parliament will shape more than just laws.

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Lok Sabha passes Health Security Cess Bill despite strong opposition protests

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com
Parliament Winter Session 2025 Day 5

Day 5 of the Winter Session of Parliament unfolded as a blend of legislative progress and persistent political friction. The Lok Sabha approved the Health Security and National Security Cess Bill 2025, a major fiscal move aimed at restructuring taxes on demerit goods such as pan masala. The Bill replaces the soon-to-end GST compensation cess with a new framework that the government says will channel revenue into public health and national security initiatives.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, piloting the Bill, assured MPs that the new cess would not extend to essential goods. The intention, she said, is to ensure a sustainable revenue stream for health-related programmes and national preparedness without burdening everyday consumers.

Protests and Walkouts Shadow the Legislation

While the government pushed ahead with its tax reforms agenda, the day was punctuated by intense disruptions. DMK MPs staged vocal protests over a controversy involving a lamp-lighting ceremony at a Tamil Nadu temple, leading to repeated adjournments.

Opposition members also used the opportunity to raise a wide spectrum of concerns, including the continuing slide of the rupee, crop damage from erratic rainfall in Gujarat, and demands to update school textbooks by removing colonial labels such as “Lord” for British officials.

Zero Hour became a flashpoint for these grievances, with MPs seeking government intervention on everything from economic pressures to cultural and historical representation.

Rajya Sabha Turns Its Lens on IndiGo’s Flight Cancellations

In the Upper House, the spotlight shifted to India’s aviation sector. Opposition MPs strongly criticised IndiGo following the sudden cancellation of more than 500 flights, calling it the predictable outcome of an unchallenged “monopoly model” in Indian aviation.

The government assured the House that the Civil Aviation Ministry is reviewing the situation, with further updates expected. Alongside this, the Rajya Sabha adopted a motion to elect a new member to the Rubber Board, even as it navigated DMK notices seeking discussions on communal tensions allegedly rising in Tamil Nadu.

Growing Social and Governance Concerns Surface

MPs across party lines took the opportunity to voice concerns over emerging social issues—particularly around safeguarding children from excessive exposure on social media platforms. Calls for stronger regulation, clearer guidelines, and parental awareness dominated parts of the discussions.

Environmental concerns resurfaced too, with renewed demands for targeted action against deteriorating air quality in major Indian cities. Meanwhile, members from agrarian regions highlighted the need for timely compensation for farmers hit hard by unseasonal rains, urging expedited relief measures.

A Day That Captured the Pulse of Parliament

Despite the disruptions, the legislative agenda moved forward, underscoring the government’s focus on tax restructuring, especially reforms around “sin taxes.” At the same time, the opposition deployed a multi-pronged strategy, using every parliamentary tool available – Zero Hour, procedural notices, interventions—to amplify public grievances, critique policy choices, and demand accountability.

The result was a familiar yet telling portrait of Indian parliamentary life: legislation advancing on one side, and vigorous, often turbulent, democratic scrutiny on the other.

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Parliament Clears the Central Excise Amendment Bill 2025

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Parliament Winter Session 2025 Day 4

In a significant policy development, Parliament has officially passed the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after the Rajya Sabha approved and returned it to the Lok Sabha. The bill marks one of the most sweeping revisions to tobacco taxation in recent years, focusing not only on revenue but also on public health and long-standing concerns around affordability of harmful products.

Why the Amendment Was Needed

The amendment updates the Central Excise Act, 1944 to allow the government to raise duties on cigarettes, cigars, hookah tobacco, chewing tobacco, zarda, scented tobacco and tobacco substitutes.
One of the key motivations behind the bill is ensuring that taxation remains effective after the sunset of the previous cess structure. Without a revision, the government would lack fiscal room to maintain the overall tax burden necessary to discourage consumption.

Massive Revision of Tobacco Duty Structure

The updated duty slabs reflect a dramatic shift compared to the older system. Previously, the excise duty on cigarettes ranged from 200 to 735 rupees per thousand sticks. The new structure pushes this range to between 2,700 and 11,000 rupees per thousand cigarettes.
Other product categories also see steep increases:

  • Chewing tobacco duty rising from 25 percent to 100 percent
  • Hookah tobacco duty increasing from 25 percent to 40 percent
  • Pipe and cigarette smoking mixture duty jumping from 60 percent to 325 percent

The government’s stated objective is clear: tobacco should not remain an easily affordable product in the market, particularly when its health impact is well-documented.

Government’s Stand: Public Health First, Revenue Sharing Intact

Responding to concerns in the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified that the revised taxes will be shared with states, emphasizing that this is excise duty and not a new cess.
She also addressed apprehensions regarding farmers and beedi workers. According to the Minister, multiple schemes — especially those targeting crop diversification — are already in place to support farmers interested in shifting out of tobacco cultivation. Between 2017-18 and 2021-22, more than 1.12 lakh acres have been moved away from tobacco farming.

Additionally, nearly 50 lakh beedi workers are registered across the country, and several welfare programmes continue to operate through national labour organisations.

Aligning India With Global Standards

India’s current tax incidence on cigarettes stands at nearly 53 percent of the retail price, significantly lower than the World Health Organization’s recommended benchmark of 75 percent.
The Minister noted that even after the introduction of GST, India’s combined tax burden on tobacco products did not consistently meet global standards, making many products remain relatively affordable. This bill seeks to correct that gap and push tobacco consumption farther out of reach.

Debate in Parliament: Concern, Support and Calls for Review

The discussion saw a wide range of viewpoints:

  • Congress MP Pramod Tiwari raised worries about the effect on tobacco farmers and argued for sending the bill to a parliamentary committee.
  • TMC’s Sagarika Ghose stated that taxation alone will not reduce consumption unless accompanied by strong health awareness campaigns and tighter regulation on pan masala advertising.
  • AAP MP Sandeep Kumar Pathak questioned whether excessive taxes are the right tool to curb addiction.
  • AIADMK’s M Thambidurai supported the bill, calling it a timely reform that protects public health.

The debate also saw political exchanges, with the Finance Minister pushing back against claims from Trinamool Congress members on issues unrelated to the bill.

A Policy Shift with Far-Reaching Impact

The passage of the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 signals a deliberate move towards stronger public health regulation backed by fiscal policy. Whether it significantly impacts tobacco consumption patterns will be seen over time, but the government has made its stance unmistakably clear: affordability should not enable addiction.

After the detailed discussion, the House adjourned, marking the close of a critical legislative day.

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BlogFeaturedIndiaIndia Parliament

Day 2 of the Winter Session: Parliament Halts Amid Deepening Confrontation

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com
Parliament Winter Session day 2

The second day of the 2025 Parliament Winter Session unfolded not as a routine legislative day, but as a sharp reminder of how fragile parliamentary functioning can become when political trust erodes. What began as a normal sitting quickly spiralled into disorder as opposition parties pressed aggressively for an immediate and structured debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

In their view, the SIR process risked excluding legitimate voters; in the government’s assessment, the House needed to proceed with its planned business. The collision of these two priorities defined the entire day.

Lok Sabha Gridlocked as Protests Dominate

The Lok Sabha made barely any progress before breaking into full-blown chaos. Opposition MPs marched into the Well, raising slogans that drowned out the Speaker’s attempts to restore order. Their demand was consistent and unyielding: no legislative work until the SIR issue was taken up on priority.

The Speaker attempted to move the House forward, but with the noise escalating and no breakthrough in sight, he was forced to adjourn the session repeatedly. Even when the House reconvened, the disruptions resumed within minutes, leaving the day’s agenda untouched.

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