Parliament Winter Session 2024 Highlights: Both Houses adjourned, Rajya Sabha over Oppn demanding discussion on Adani bribery charges

The Winter Session of Parliament began today but faced early disruptions, leading to the adjournment of both Houses for the day. In the Rajya Sabha, proceedings were stalled as Opposition MPs insisted on holding a discussion on the Adani issue.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11.45am, as Opposition MPs continued to raise their demand for discussion on Adani issue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking ahead of the Parliament winter session commencement, took a dig at the Opposition parties, saying that those rejected by the people during elections try to disrupt proceedings of the House as well. “Those rejected 80-90 times by people do not allow discussions in Parliament. They do not understand people’s aspirations. I hope new members from every party get chance in Winter Session of Parliament to share their ideas,” the Prime Minister said.

As Parliament gears up for a stormy winter session over the Adani issue, the government has listed 16 bills, including one to amend the waqf law and five new ones, for the winter session.

The five new draft legislations include the one to set up a cooperative university, the Rashtriya Sahkari Vishwavidyalaya.

The bills pending in the Lok Sabha include the Waqf (Amendment) Bill which has been listed for consideration and passage after the joint committee of the two Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha.

The panel is mandated to submit its report on the last day of the first week of the winter session.

Opposition members on the panel are demanding an extension in the timeline to submit its report. They have alleged that committee chair Jagdambika Pal, a BJP MP, is bulldozing the committee meetings and have sought the intervention of Speaker Om Birla.

The presentation, discussion and voting on First Batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for the year 2024-25 has also been listed. The session concludes on December 20.

The other bill listed by the government for introduction, consideration and passage is the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill to enhance the pecuniary (defined as the monetary value of a case) appellate jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from the existing Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

The Merchant Shipping Bill, also a new draft law planned by the government, seeks to ensure compliance with India’s obligation under maritime treaties to which New Delhi is a party.

Besides, the Coastal Shipping Bill and the Indian Ports Bill have also been listed for introduction and eventual passage.

As many as eight bills, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill are pending in Lok Sabha. According to a Lok Sabha bulletin, two bills are pending with the Rajya Sabha.

The Rajya Sabha bulletin said an additional bill The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, passed by the Lok is pending with the upper house.

A set of proposed bills to implement simultaneous elections in the country are not part of the list yet, though some reports suggested that the government is likely to bring the legislations in the coming session... Click Here

As someone who has covered Parliament for almost three decades, it has dictated the way I start my days when House Sessions are on. For much of my career, I have looked forward to the routine: morning calls, a look at the newspapers, touching up what’s cooking in my kitchen, before leaving for Parliament.

However, as the Winter Session begins on Monday, I no longer have the same excitement.

Parliament shaped me as a political reporter. This was where I made some of my most everlasting friendships – irrespective of party ideologies and regional biases – and earned the confidence of my sources.

The old building, its two semi-circular chambers and their proceedings moulded me as a journalist, just like it shaped India’s political history.

Over its green- and red-carpeted chambers, observing the chatter, warmth and exchange of greetings and banter between leaders cutting across languages gave crucial insight into the diversity of the country.

Then there was the unsaid – a minister or member gesturing to another, an eye contact, the nodding heads over a boring speech, an MP shifting uneasily over a rival’s comment, or another enjoying a joke from across the aisle.

Even women MPs handing out ginger toffees and savouries to colleagues for throats left sore by slogan-shouting. Continue reading...

Lok Sabha members can now mark their attendance using a digital pen on electronic tabs during the Winter Session of Parliament starting Monday.

As part of Speaker Om Birla's initiative to make Parliament paperless, tabs will be available at four counters in the chamber lobby.

While physical registers will remain, members are encouraged to opt for the digital method.

The process involves selecting their names on the tab, signing with a digital pen, and submitting their attendance.

Engineers from the National Informatics Centre will provide technical support. This replaces the earlier mobile app-based attendance system and ensures eligibility for daily allowances.