Citing the short duration of the session, the Congress alleged that the government appeared intent on derailing Parliament.
Published Dec 01, 2025 | 9:02 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 01, 2025 | 9:02 AM
The new Parliament building. (Creative Commons)
Synopsis: The Winter session of Parliament will begin on Monday, 1 December. The session is expected to have a total of 15 sittings spread over a period of 19 days. The government had convened an all-party meeting in New Delhi to ensure the smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament.
The Winter session of Parliament will begin on Monday, 1 December. The session is expected to have a total of 15 sittings spread over a period of 19 days.
According to reports, a total of 13 bills are listed in the legislative business, which are likely to be passed during the session. The bills include the National Highways (Amendment) Bill, the Atomic Energy Bill, the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill and the Higher Education Commission of India Bill 2025.
On Sunday, the government had convened an all-party meeting in New Delhi to ensure the smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to introduce the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill and the Health Security and National Security Cess Bill, 2025, on Monday.
The bills are aimed at reshaping the taxation of tobacco and pan masala by replacing the GST compensation cess with an excise duty on tobacco products.
The new Health Security cess would be levied on machines or processes used to manufacture specified goods, with proceeds earmarked for national security and public health expenditure.
Currently, tobacco and pan masala attract 28 percent GST along with varying compensation cess rates.
Discussion and voting on the first batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for the year 2025-26 will also be taken up during the session.
During the all-party meeting, the Opposition reportedly flagged a range of issues it wants to raise in both Houses, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the recent Delhi blast, and key foreign policy concerns. The government outlined its legislative priorities and sought cooperation for the smooth conduct of proceedings.
After the meeting, citing the short duration of the session, the Congress alleged that the government appeared intent on derailing Parliament.
“The winter session is only 19 days long, of which discussions can take place only for 15 days. This will likely be the shortest winter session ever. Therefore, it seems the government itself wants to derail Parliament,” said Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the government has appealed to floor leaders of all political parties for cooperation during the Winter Session for the smooth functioning of both Houses.
He stated that the Government is prepared and ready to discuss any other important issue on the floors of the Houses as per the rules of both Houses.
“Since it’s the winter season, we hope everyone works with a cool head and avoids heated exchanges. Debate is part of Parliament, and I hope there will be no disturbances. Working with a calm mindset will benefit the nation and ensure the session runs smoothly,” he said.
