Parl session from Dec 1 to 19, Cong slams govt over ‘just 15 working days’

The winter session of Parliament will commence on December 1 and end on December 19, thus making it one of the shortest sessions in recent past with only 15 sittings.

Making the announcement on X, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Saturday that President Droupadi Murmu had approved the proposal of the government to convene the session from December 1 to December 19.

“Looking forward to a constructive and meaningful session that strengthens our democracy and serves the aspirations of the people,” he posted on X.

The session will be held just two weeks after the declaration of results of the Bihar Assembly elections on November 14 and is expected to be stormy one, with the Opposition led by the Congress likely to raise several issues such as the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in several states and alleged vote theft in states like Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Reacting to the announcement, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on X, "It has just been announced that the winter session of Parliament will be from December 1st till 19th. This is unusually delayed and truncated. It will be just 15 working days. What is the message being conveyed? Clearly, the government has no business to transact, no Bills to get passed and no debates to be allowed."

Responding to Ramesh's remark, Rijiju posted on X, "As if Congress leaders are interested in running Parliament session! But I will never get tired of repeatedly appealing to the Congress to participate in the parliamentary debates and discussions and also not to create obstacles for other sincere MPs. Let Parliament function."

The previous session was held from July 21 to August 21. It had 21 sittings spread over 32 days, during which 15 Bills were passed by both the Houses of Parliament.

Two-thirds of the stipulated time was lost to disruptions in that session.

The Centre is expected to pass some important Bills, including the 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which amends the Constitution to conduct elections for the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies together.

The government may also try to get the Jan Vishwas Bill and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Bill passed.

Last year, the winter session commenced on November 25 and concluded on December 20. The session saw 20 sittings of the Lok Sabha and 19 sittings of the Rajya Sabha, spread over 26 days.