Parliament's Winter Session: Key Discussions and Legislative Updates

The winter session of Parliament has seen a mix of disruptions and productive discussions. After a tumultuous start, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha resumed normal proceedings, addressing significant issues such as the upcoming census, tobacco taxation, and drug abuse in Punjab. Key figures like Raghav Chadha celebrated personal milestones, while opposition leaders raised pressing concerns about electoral reforms and public health. This article delves into the highlights and legislative actions taken during this session, providing insights into the current political landscape.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 3, 2025, 18:42 IST

Overview of the Winter Session

The winter session of Parliament is currently underway, having experienced a tumultuous start in its initial two days. However, today saw a return to normalcy in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, with question hour proceedings conducted smoothly. The previous days were marked by disruptions due to opposition members raising concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of Voter Lists. Additionally, several significant issues were addressed by the MPs. In a celebratory gesture, Raghav Chadha treated people in the Parliament complex to sweets on the occasion of becoming a father. The opposition in the Rajya Sabha has called for immediate assembly elections in Manipur, while MPs expressed that increasing taxes on tobacco products will not reduce consumption, emphasizing the need for effective measures. The Rajya Sabha approved a resolution to implement water pollution laws in Manipur, and the Lok Sabha passed the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

Lok Sabha Proceedings

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs informed the Lok Sabha that the upcoming census in 2027 will be conducted in two phases, starting with house listing and housing data collection in 2026. The first phase is scheduled to be completed within a 30-day timeframe from April to September 2026, based on timelines set by the respective states and union territories. The second phase, related to population counting, is set for February 2027. In response to a question from opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai confirmed that the reference date for the census will be midnight on March 1, 2027. However, for regions like Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand's snowy areas, the census will occur in September 2026, with October 1, 2026, as the reference date.

Further Developments in Lok Sabha

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced on Wednesday that the government aims to achieve 4G connectivity across all sectors soon, with plans to install 12,000 4G towers in various locations, including border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, by next year.

Congress's Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi raised the issue of singer Jubin Garg's 'murder' in the Lok Sabha, urging the central government to posthumously honor him with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.

Addressing the threat posed by fake news to democracy, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the government is formulating new regulations to combat misinformation and AI-generated deepfake videos. He emphasized the need for stringent actions and regulations against fake news, which poses a serious risk to democracy.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman remarked that imposing excise duties on tobacco and its products will maintain the tax burden even after the cessation of GST compensation. Presenting the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 for discussion and passage, she explained that since the GST law caps the maximum tax rate at 40%, removing the GST cess without imposing excise duties would reduce the overall tax burden on tobacco below current levels.

Rajya Sabha Proceedings

During zero hour in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, TMC member Dola Sen raised the issue of renaming Raj Bhavans to 'Lok Bhavan,' leading to a heated exchange. She stated that neither Parliament, the assembly, nor the cabinet had been informed about this decision. The House Leader JP Nadda objected, insisting that discussions should remain focused on the topic at hand.

Aam Aadmi Party's Swati Maliwal claimed that Punjab, governed by her party, is severely affected by drug abuse, alleging that state de-addiction centers are supplying narcotics.

BJP member Medha Kulkarni demanded the withdrawal of halal certification from non-halal products, arguing that it contradicts the Constitution, which grants all citizens the right to practice their religious beliefs.

The government claimed in the Rajya Sabha that days with AQI levels exceeding 400 in Delhi have decreased, and incidents of stubble burning have dropped by 90% compared to 2016. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted these concerns during a discussion related to a resolution on Manipur.