Opposition demands discussion on Adani and Manipur before winter session

The winter session of parliament will begin on Monday, November 25, and will last until December 20 and will consist of 19 meetings. At least 16 bills are on the agenda, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Five bills are proposed for introduction and enactment, namely, the Merchant Shipping Bill, the Coastal Shipping Bill, the Indian Ports Bill, the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill and the Rashtriya Sahkari Vishwavidyalaya Bill.

Focus on Waqf (Amendment) Bill

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is being considered by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which is expected to submit its report during this session. Opposition members asked to extend the deadline for submitting the commission. A ruling party ally stressed the importance of taking into account the interests and views of the Muslim community to ensure inclusivity when passing the bill, saying: “We want to make sure that the Muslim community should feel that their views have been taken into account… their interests should be protected.”

The meeting is expected to witness intense debate, with the opposition preparing to raise concerns about the situation in Manipur and US prosecutors’ bribery allegations against an Indian industrialist.

Pre-session meetings

INDIA bloc party leaders plan to meet at Parliament House to finalize their strategy. Moreover, the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister held discussions with the leaders of both houses, calling for smooth conduct of business.

Opposition demands

During preparatory meetings, opposition parties insisted on discussing the charges against the industrialist, highlighting concerns about Indian institutions and investors. The Congress leader termed the issue a “scam”, urging the government not to reject the demand on technical grounds. The Opposition has also raised questions about the handling of the crisis in Manipur, pointing out apparent inconsistencies in the government’s handling of the state amid allegations of violence.

Pending bills and other issues

The Rajya Sabha bulletin states that the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak supplementary bill passed by the Lok Sabha is pending in the Upper House.

The government called on all parties to cooperate to ensure a productive session, emphasizing the need for consensus in legislative procedures.