Government and Opposition leaders meet ahead of Winter Session of Parliament

In preparation for the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament, the Government met with Floor Leaders of all Political Parties under the Chairmanship of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. The meeting was held on Saturday before the commencement of the session, scheduled to begin on December 4, 2023. 30 Leaders from Twenty-Three Political Parties attended the meeting.

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, informed that the session will comprise 15 sittings spread over 19 days, concluding on December 22, 2023. Tentatively, 19 items of Legislative Business and 2 items of Financial Business have been identified for consideration during the session.

Expressing the Government’s commitment to open dialogue, Joshi emphasized their readiness to discuss any issue on the floor of the House, as permitted under the Rules of Procedure by the respective Presiding Officers. He also appealed to all party leaders for their active cooperation and support in ensuring the smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice; Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Arjun Ram Meghwal, also attended the meeting.

Responding to the issues raised by leaders of various political parties, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated the Government’s openness to discussions on all matters, subject to the rules and procedures of the respective Houses and with the permission of the concerned Presiding Officers.

Which bills are likely to be taken up during the Winter Session of Parliament?

Legislative Business:

1. The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023
2. The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023
3. The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023
4. The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023
5. The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023
6. The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023
7. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023
8. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
9. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
10. The Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
11. The Post Office Bill, 2023
12. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023
13. The Boilers Bill, 2023
14. The Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, 2023
15. The Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023
16. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2023
17. The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2023
18. The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2023
19. The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023

Financial Business:

• Presentation, Discussion and Voting on First Batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for the year 2023-24
• Presentation, Discussion and Voting on Demands for Excess Grants for the year 2020-21