Winter Session of Parliament Day 1: Early Disruptions, Special Observance Planned On Constitution Day

The Parliament Winter Session began on Monday, 25 November 2024, but disturbance surrounded the start of both Houses with early adjournments. The Rajya Sabha was particularly affected because opposition parties made a strong demand for debate regarding the “Adani scam” due to charges of corruption through the business group. Parliamentary proceedings will recommence on Wednesday, 27 November.

Special Commemoration for Constitution Day
There will be a break from routine proceeding as there will be no session of parliament on Tuesday, November 26, but a special celebration of the constituent assembly’s adoption of the Constitution in 1949 is scheduled as it marks 75 years today.

PM Modi requests constructive debate
Even prior to the session, the Opposition was attacked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for disruption attempts and accused it of attempting to sabotage democratic processes. “Parties dismissed by the people 80-90 times are now seeking to dominate Parliament by hooliganism for their political benefits,” he declared. Healthy debates are the key to productive sessions, according to him.

**Government’s Legislative Agenda
It is said that the Winter Session, which is to continue up to December 20, will consider an ambitious legislative agenda of 15 bills on the agenda. The key proposals are:

Merchant Shipping Bill: This suggests Indian maritime policies in harmony with international agreements.
Coastal Shipping Bill: This is proposed to energize shipping industries in India.
Indian Ports Bill: This seeks modernized administration and port facilities.
Waqf Law Amendment Bill: Suggest amending the legislation laws that deal with Waqf properties.
Other bills intend to tackle other essential national concerns, echoing the development priorities of the government.

Opposition’s Strategy
The Opposition have emphatically indicated that they are going to continue banging for debate on the Adani matter and other controversial matters. The debates over the next couple of weeks will thus be framed by their calls for more accountability and more transparency.

Once Parliament reconvenes, it will likely be dominated by a confrontation between the government’s legislative agenda and the Oppositional call for scrutiny of the same.