New Delhi, November 24: Ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament starting Monday, the government has urged political parties to ensure the smooth functioning of both Houses. This appeal was made during an all-party meeting convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Key Issues Raised by Opposition
Adani Bribery Charges
Congress leaders, including Gaurav Gogoi and Pramod Tiwari, demanded discussions on allegations against the Adani Group, involving bribes of ₹2,300 crore to Indian officials for solar energy contracts.
Congress emphasized the national economic and security implications of these charges.
Manipur Ethnic Violence
The opposition highlighted the ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur and criticized the government's continued support for the state’s leadership.
Rising Pollution and Train Accidents
Severe air pollution in North India and recent train accidents were listed as priority discussion topics.
Government’s Response
Minister Rijiju emphasized that the Business Advisory Committees of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha would determine the agenda with inputs from the respective presiding officers.
Legislative Agenda
The Winter Session, scheduled to conclude on December 20, includes 16 bills for consideration:
Waqf (Amendment) Bill: Listed for discussion after the joint parliamentary committee submits its report. Opposition members have sought an extension of the timeline.
Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill: Aims to increase the monetary jurisdiction of district courts in Delhi from ₹3 lakh to ₹20 lakh.
Merchant Shipping Bill, Coastal Shipping Bill, and Indian Ports Bill: Focus on maritime compliance and development.
Supplementary Demands for Grants
The session will also see discussions on the First Batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for the fiscal year 2024–25.
Simultaneous Elections Bill Missing
Despite speculation, the much-discussed legislation for simultaneous elections has not been included in the session's initial agenda.
Ruling and opposition leaders, including BJP’s J.P. Nadda, Congress’s Jairam Ramesh, and others, attended the meeting. As Parliament reconvenes, contentious issues like the Adani allegations and the situation in Manipur are expected to dominate discussions.
