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Despite the government’s initial plan to push 12 bills – 10 of which are new – through both Houses, progress has been slow, especially amid disruptions related to the opposition’s demand for a debate on the special intensive review (SIR) exercise.
So far, the government has won parliamentary approval for three pieces of legislation in the first two weeks. These include the Health Protection and National Security Cess Bill, amendments to the Central Excise Act, enabling higher cess on pan masala and tobacco products, and the Manipur GST Bill, which replaces an earlier ordinance.
Main draft laws have not yet reached MPs
According to Hindustan Times report, two important proposals – the Atomic Energy Bill, which aims to open up the nuclear sector to private investment, and the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, which seeks to introduce a single regulatory authority for higher education – have not been circulated among the members.
According to HT, TMC MP Saugata Ray said, “We have not received a copy of these two bills. There has been no discussion between the government and the opposition as to when these bills will come.”
A senior Congress MP in the Rajya Sabha also expressed concern, saying, “Time is running out. In the Upper House, the debate on SIR is not over yet. We do not think the government has any intention of passing many of the bills.”
More bills are expected to be approved by the cabinet
The Union Cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to be held on Friday, December 12.
According to senior government officials quoted by HT, the Cabinet may approve the introduction of additional bills before the session ends.
The winter session, which began on December 1, is scheduled to end on December 19.
Other new bills on the agenda
Among the remaining proposals is the National Highways Amendment Bill, which aims to streamline land acquisition for highway development.
While land acquisition generally falls under the broader land and resettlement law, according to HT, the proposed amendments will introduce specific exemptions for road construction.
The government is also planning further changes in the Companies Act, 2013 and LLP Act, 2008 to increase ease of doing business.
A bill is expected to scrap 120 archaic laws along with the Securities Markets Code Bill, 2025. According to reports, this law will consolidate the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, the Depositories Act, 1996 and the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 into a single regulatory framework.
The session was dominated by debate and disruption
The initial week of the session saw repeated adjournments as the opposition pressed its demands for a debate on the SIR process.
Parliament also spent a lot of time debating the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram and deliberating on electoral reforms.