Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
India’s Parliament passed eight important bills during the Winter Session, which was relatively short but productive. While there were strong arguments and sharp exchanges between the opposition and the government, both sides agreed to hold discussions on electoral reforms. This understanding helped avoid repeated disruptions, unlike the Monsoon Session, which saw frequent adjournments over demands related to electoral roll revisions.
The session recorded high productivity, with the Lok Sabha achieving 110 per cent productivity and the Rajya Sabha recording 121 per cent. Several major discussions took place, including debates on electoral reforms and the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. This was also the first session chaired by CP Radhakrishnan as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
One of the most debated legislations was the Viksit Bharat G RAM G Bill, which aims to replace the MGNREGA scheme. Opposition parties strongly opposed the bill and demanded that it be sent to a Standing Committee. The bill’s passage saw loud protests and disruptions in Parliament. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the opposition for tearing papers inside the House and termed it unacceptable parliamentary behaviour.
The Winter Session focused heavily on financial matters. Several important bills were cleared, including amendments to insurance laws, Appropriation Bills, and taxation-related legislations. The SHANTI Bill, which allows private companies to enter the nuclear energy sector, was also passed after heated debate in both Houses.
Among the key legislations was the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, which increases foreign direct investment in insurance companies from 74 per cent to 100 per cent. The government said this move would help attract long-term foreign investment, support technology transfer, and improve insurance coverage and social security across the country.
Both Houses also passed the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which revises excise duties on tobacco products after the end of the GST compensation cess. In addition, the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, was approved to implement GST Council decisions, including plans to simplify GST rates in the state.
During the session, 10 bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha, and eight bills were passed by Parliament over 15 sittings. The Securities Markets Code Bill, 2025, introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, was referred to a Standing Committee. This bill aims to modernise India’s capital market laws by merging three old laws into one unified framework.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government wanted a full-day discussion on air pollution, but it could not happen due to disruptions by the opposition during the passage of the G RAM G Bill. He said this remained the government’s only regret during the session, as the issue was important and required serious debate.
The Winter Session of Parliament, which began on December 1, was adjourned sine die on Friday. Despite protests and disagreements, the session ended with the passage of several key bills, reflecting high legislative output and intense political engagement.
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