Parliament Winter session begins Dec 1: Key bills, Opposition's SIR debate in focus

The session will have 15 sittings over 19 days, with Private Members’ Bills on December 5 and 19, and Private Members’ resolutions on December 12.

The Winter Session of Parliament, scheduled from December 1 to 19, will see the government push ahead with its legislative and reform agenda, while the opposition prepares to raise issues including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, national security, and environmental concerns.

The session will have 15 sittings over 19 days, with Private Members’ Bills on December 5 and 19, and Private Members’ resolutions on December 12.

Key bills slated for introduction include the Atomic Energy Bill, 2025, which seeks to open the civil nuclear sector to private participation and regulate atomic energy use. Other proposed legislations include the Higher Education Commission of India Bill, the National Highways (Amendment) Bill, the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Securities Markets Code Bill, 2025. Amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act and the first supplementary Budget for 2025-26 are also on the agenda.

The Congress, meanwhile, is likely to raise issues including US President Donald Trump’s statements on the India-Pakistan conflict, trade agreements, and unresolved border talks with China. The party is also expected to take up discussions on national security concerns following the Delhi blast on November 10.

On the other hand, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC will demand accountability over the SIR process in West Bengal, which it claims has placed extreme pressure on Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and citizens. The party has alleged that 41 people, including four BLOs, have died during the accelerated voter-roll revision, citing tight deadlines, inadequate training, and administrative pressure. Party MPs will seek compensation for affected families and a parliamentary discussion on the exercise.

Amid speculation about the 131st Amendment Bill, 2025, which could place Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution, the Ministry of Home Affairs has clarified that no final decision has been taken. Existing administrative arrangements will remain unchanged, and any future proposal will follow full consultations with stakeholders.