Lok Sabha Resumes Amid Controversy Over G Ram G Bill
Parliamentary Proceedings Resumed
Following the passage of the G Ram G Bill, the Lok Sabha will reconvene at 11 AM on Friday due to disruptions caused by protests. With only one day left in the winter session, discussions on several bills and committee reports are anticipated in both houses. On Thursday, two members of the Rajya Sabha highlighted infrastructure deficiencies across various states, with one pointing out severe traffic congestion at railway crossings in Uttar Pradesh, while another raised concerns about inadequate healthcare facilities for pregnant women in Jharkhand and other regions.
Today's Legislative Actions
On Thursday, the Lok Sabha passed the 'Developed India-G Ram G Bill, 2025' amidst opposition protests. Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated, "The Congress has undermined Bapu's ideals, while the Modi government has kept them alive." He dismissed allegations regarding the introduction of a new bill replacing the MGNREGA scheme and the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name, asserting that the bill aims to implement Gandhi's principles and work towards a developed India based on developed villages.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra requested an appointment with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Shortly after, she met with him at his office in Parliament to discuss issues related to her constituency, Wayanad.
During question hour, Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that by 2026, the government plans to implement a seamless toll collection system at all 1,050 toll plazas nationwide. He noted that approximately 4 million annual FASTag passes have been issued in the last four months since August, allowing private vehicles to cross 200 toll plazas for an annual fee of ₹3,000, averaging ₹15 per toll.
In the Rajya Sabha, members from various opposition parties protested against the Nuclear Energy Sustainable Utilization and Promotion Bill, 2025, demanding it be sent to a select or standing committee for further discussion. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh described the bill allowing private participation in the nuclear sector as 'historic,' assuring that safety mechanisms would not be compromised.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav stated that the government is working on the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard in Gujarat. During question hour in the Rajya Sabha, he mentioned that a program is underway in several states, including Gujarat, for the protection of this species.
Aam Aadmi Party member Raghav Chadha called for significant amendments to the Copyright Act of 1957 to safeguard the interests of digital content creators, emphasizing that their livelihoods should be determined by law rather than arbitrary algorithms.