New Delhi, Dec 19 (UNI) Both Houses of Parliament adjourned sine die on Friday, shortly after resuming, marking the end of the winter session in which the government cleared several legislations, including opening insurance and nuclear energy to greater private and foreign participation, overhauling rural employment as well renaming MGNREGA, and approving fresh fiscal and taxation measures.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die by Speaker Om Birla after Vande Mataram was played in the House. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present.
Birla said, “We have now come to the end of the 18th Lok Sabha. In this session, 15 sittings took place.”
“The House saw productivity of 111 per cent during the session,” Birla said.
Similarly, Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan concluded the 269th session of the Rajya Sabha after statements and reports were laid on the table of the House.
Both Houses of Parliament cleared eight key legislations.
The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025 (SHANTI Bill), which opens the nuclear sector to private participation, was passed.
The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill 2025 which replaces MGNREGA, was passed by a voice vote in the Rajya Sabha past midnight, hours after it was cleared by the Lok Sabha.
Opposition leaders staged a 12-hour overnight protest dharna in the Parliament complex on December 18 against the passage of the VB G-RAM-G Bill.
It seeks to replace the 20-year-old MGNREGA and guarantees 125 days of wage employment every year. The legislation was passed amid vociferous opposition protests, with union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan asserting that it was needed to fix shortcomings in the old scheme.
The Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, which raises foreign direct investment in the insurance sector to 100%, was also passed.
On Thursday, Parliament passed the nuclear energy legislation, with the Rajya Sabha giving its nod to the bill that seeks to open the tightly-controlled civil nuclear sector for private participation. The Upper House passed the SHANTI Bill by a voice vote, following its approval in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Vice-President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, CP Radhakrishnan, concluded the 269th session of the Upper House on Friday after statements and reports were laid on the table.
Addressing the House in his valedictory remarks, the Vice-President expressed gratitude to all Members for electing him as Vice-President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He described the session as “highly productive” and expressed hope for more “fruitful debates in future sessions.”
Highlighting the significance of the session personally, he said it was the first time he chaired the Rajya Sabha after assuming office. He extended appreciation to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ministers, Leader of the House J.P. Nadda , the Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, and all Members for their warm felicitations, which he said encouraged him in discharging his constitutional duties.
The Vice-President commended Members for their cooperation in using parliamentary devices such as Questions, Special Mentions, and Zero Hour Submissions.
Among the session’s notable achievements, he highlighted “unprecedented number of Zero Hour Notices, averaging over 84 per day, a 31 pc increase compared to previous two sessions.
Matters actually raised during Zero Hour averaging 15 per day, nearly a 50 pc increase from preceding two sessions.
He emphasised that this winter session, the leaders engaged in high-quality discussions on historical and democratic issues, including the 150th Anniversary of the National Song, Vande Mataram, with participation from 82 members.
He also mentioned a three-day discussion on Election Reforms with 57 Members contributing insights.
The House passed/ returned 8 Bills and adoption of a Statutory Resolution on the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024, with 212 Members participating.
Private Members’ Business, with 59 Private Members’ Bills introduced and 22 Members participating in discussions.
The Vice-President also noted that the House functioned for a total of 92 hours, achieving a productivity level of 121 percent. He acknowledged the support of the Deputy Chairman, Panel of Vice-Chairpersons, Secretary-General, staff, and media for ensuring smooth proceedings.
He expressed concern over disruptions by opposition Members during a recent sitting, describing such actions as unbecoming of Members of Parliament, and urged introspection to prevent recurrence.
Concluding his remarks, Vice-President Radhakrishnan extended festive greetings to all Members and their families for Christmas, New Year, and upcoming harvest festivals, including Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Magh Bihu, and others.
