The customary all-party meeting held ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament highlighted key issues that are likely to dominate the session, which is scheduled from November 27 to December 20. Here’s an overview of the major topics discussed and the legislative agenda:
Key Issues Raised by the Opposition
- Adani Group Bribery Allegations:
- The Congress, led by Pramod Tiwari, demanded that the alleged bribery scandal involving the Adani Group, amounting to ₹2,300 crore, be discussed as a priority.
- Allegations involve bribes paid to politicians and bureaucrats for favorable solar energy contracts.
- Rahul Gandhi has called for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the issue.
- Manipur Violence:
- Congress flagged the deteriorating situation in Manipur and emphasized the need for an urgent discussion in Parliament.
- Air Pollution in North India:
- Severe pollution levels, especially in Delhi and neighboring regions, were raised as a critical public health concern.
- Train Accidents:
- Recent train mishaps and their underlying causes were also brought forward as topics requiring attention.
Government’s Legislative Agenda
The government has listed 16 bills for consideration during the session. Significant highlights include:
Bills for Consideration and Passage:
- Waqf (Amendment) Bill:
- To be discussed after the Joint Committee submits its report.
- Opposition members have sought more time to finalize the report, alleging undue pressure from the committee chair.
- Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill:
- Aims to increase the monetary appellate jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from ₹3 lakh to ₹20 lakh.
- Merchant Shipping Bill:
- Ensures compliance with international maritime treaties.
- Coastal Shipping Bill and Indian Ports Bill:
- Related to India’s maritime operations and infrastructure.
Other Pending Bills:
- Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill.
- Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak (aviation bill pending in the Rajya Sabha).
Supplementary Demands for Grants:
- Presentation, discussion, and voting on the First Batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2024-25 are scheduled.
Special Events
- A 75th-anniversary celebration of the adoption of the Constitution is planned for November 26 in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan (old Parliament building).
Unlisted Topics
- Proposed bills for implementing simultaneous elections have not been officially listed, though speculation suggests they could be introduced during the session.
Outlook
The session is set to be contentious, with the opposition planning to focus on issues like corporate accountability, regional conflicts, and environmental crises, while the government seeks to push through its legislative agenda. The discussion around the Adani Group allegations is likely to dominate early proceedings, reflecting broader concerns about corporate influence on governance.