NEW DELHI, Nov 30: In preparation for the Winter session of Parliament commencing on December 4, the government has scheduled a meeting with floor leaders of political parties in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Saturday. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi will preside over the meeting, expected to be attended by senior leaders, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.
During the Winter session, which spans from December 4 to December 22 with 15 sittings, key draft legislations are anticipated to be considered, including three bills aimed at replacing colonial-era criminal laws. Currently, there are 37 pending Bills in Parliament, with 12 listed for consideration and passing, and seven for introduction, consideration, and passing.
The government plans to present the first batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for the fiscal year 2023-24 during the session. Additionally, the report of the Ethics Committee on “cash-for-query” allegations against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra will be tabled in the Lok Sabha, necessitating adoption by the House before the recommended expulsion takes effect.
The session is expected to address three key bills seeking to replace the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Evidence Act. The standing committee on Home has recently adopted these reports. Another significant bill pending relates to the appointment of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners, introduced in the Monsoon session. However, its passage was deferred in the special session amid opposition protests and concerns from former chief election commissioners. The bill aims to align the status of the CEC and ECs with that of the cabinet secretary, currently enjoying the status of a Supreme Court judge.
