New Delhi, Dec 1 (UNI) With the Winter Session of Parliament beginning on Monday, the Opposition is ready to corner the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 States and union Territories, the recent Delhi blast case, and the worsening air pollution in the national capital, among other issues.
Seeing the previous records of Parliament sessions, in which no meaningful debate or discussion has taken place, it seems this session is also staring at disruptions and a stalemate.
Meanwhile, the government is ready with a packed legislative agenda. Aiming to push major reforms, it has listed 13 Bills for consideration during the session, including the National Highways (Amendment) Bill, the Atomic Energy Bill, the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, and the Higher Education Commission of India Bill, 2025.
Over the past several years, meaningful debates in Parliament have sharply declined. Disruptions have become routine, and legislative productivity has steadily reduced. This session also begins amid concerns over whether the House will function effectively. The three-week session follows the BJP-led NDA’s decisive victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, a political boost for the government after a largely unproductive Monsoon Session.
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal said, “The Constitution assigns the duty to India’s highest House, where elected representatives debate, suggest, criticise, and raise crucial issues from their constituencies. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is always prepared to discuss any matter in the Business Advisory Committee. The House should be allowed to function. PM Modi has said that we are ready to discuss every topic.”
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, after meeting floor leaders from both Houses, expressed hope for a constructive and disruption-free session.
He urged MPs to maintain calm and work responsibly, stating that healthy debate is essential for Parliament to function smoothly.
In the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to introduce the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill and the Health Security and National Security Cess Bill, 2025. The aim is to raise additional resources for national security and public health by levying a cess on machines installed or processes undertaken for the manufacture or production of specified goods.
The House will also take up discussion and voting on the first batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2025–26.
A day earlier, the government held an all-party meeting in New Delhi—chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by 50 leaders from 36 parties—to seek cooperation for the smooth functioning of Parliament. Minister Rijiju said the government has urged all parties to support a productive Winter Session.
The Winter Session is scheduled to begin on Monday, December 1, and will continue until December 19. Opposition MPs have decided to raise several issues, including the ongoing SIR process, inequality, income concerns, the Delhi blast, pollution, and foreign policy matters. The Lok Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC) has allocated time for several key bills and discussions for the Winter Session. The government has listed 13 bills for consideration, many of which have not been examined by a Standing Committee. The BAC has recommended specific time slots for major legislative items and debates.
Another agenda of the government is to push the Atomic Energy Bill, 2025, which aims to allow private-sector participation in the civil nuclear sector while strengthening regulatory oversight to ensure the safe and peaceful use of atomic energy. The Higher Education Commission of India Bill, 2025, is also set to be introduced. It proposes a centralised regulator for universities and higher education institutions, with a focus on autonomy, improved accreditation systems, and higher quality standards across academic programmes.
