All-party meet (ANI image)
NEW DELHI: An all-party meeting was held on Sunday ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament. The Opposition demanded detailed discussions during the session and raised concerns over the government’s handling of key national matters.The Opposition sought debates on national security in the wake of the recent Delhi blast, the “SIR” issue, rising air pollution, farmers’ concerns, safeguarding democracy and foreign policy developments.The meeting was chaired by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal and JP Nadda were also present.On the Opposition side, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee, Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav and AIADMK’s M Thambi Durai were among those attending.Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said the party raised these issues at the meeting and insisted that Parliament must debate them. “It seems the government, under the leadership of the prime minister and the home minister, is looking to finish off India’s democracy and parliamentary traditions,” he said. Gogoi added that the Opposition wanted a discussion on national security, especially after the Delhi blast, and on “ensuring the purity of the voter list”. He also flagged economic security, saying farmers were still not receiving fair prices.On foreign policy, Gogoi said, “India is formulating its foreign policy on the basis of other countries. Someone does not like us buying oil from Russia. Another country is investing in its defence and we are not ready.” He said the Opposition was united and would not allow Parliament to be used only to “sing paeans of just one person”.On the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also highlighted several issues the Opposition intends to raise.He also pointed to the schedule of parliamentary business and strategic meetings planned by the Opposition.“The SIR was conducted across the entire state in a very short span of time, which is impossible… Blasts have occurred in the capital. Prime Minister Modi’s foreign policies are completely lost. In addition, air pollution in Delhi and other states must be discussed in detail. We have a strategic meeting today at 6 pm, and the Business Advisory Committee meeting is happening at 4 pm. Let us see what is on the BJP’s agenda,” Tiwari said. DMK MP Tiruchi Siva said that all Opposition parties were unanimous in demanding discussion on the “SIR” issue during the session. CPI-M MP John Brittas said, “Delhi blast exposed govt; we want discussion on security issues.” He added that if Parliament faces disruptions, “it is full responsibility of government.”After the all-party meeting, Rijiju addressed concerns about the functioning of Parliament and the conduct of members during the Winter Session. He emphasized that the government was open to discussions and intended to ensure that all issues are debated within parliamentary rules. “No one said that the Parliament will not function or will not let it function. Some leaders said that they can create a ruckus in the House over SIR. I am saying this in a positive manner that we are ready to listen to the opposition…Parliament belongs to everyone; it belongs to the country. There is a method to discuss every issue in the Parliament. There are rules, there are conventions,” Rijiju said. Bills listed for the Winter SessionThe Winter Session will run from December 1 to 19 and include 15 sittings. Parliament is expected to take up major legislative and financial business.The Health Security and National Security Cess Bill, 2025 is likely to be introduced to impose a new cess aimed at improving the country’s health infrastructure and national security preparedness. The President has recommended its introduction under provisions applicable to Money Bills.The Manipur GST (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025 seeks to improve tax administration in the state, while the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 proposes changes to modernise excise regulations on goods and industries.Other important proposals include amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, Corporate Laws, National Highways Act and the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, as well as the Higher Education Commission of India Bill, 2025, which aims to streamline higher education regulation. Maritime sector reforms including merchant shipping and port-related bills, are also expected to strengthen compliance with global standards.Parliament will also take up the first batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2025-26 and the related Appropriation Bill. Private Members’ Bills are scheduled on December 5 and 19, with resolutions on December 12. Go to Source