The Aryavarth Express
New Delhi: Leaders of the INDIA bloc convened on Wednesday ahead of the third day of the Winter Session of Parliament to formulate their strategy after the Centre agreed to hold a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll—a key demand of the Opposition.
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, along with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, attended the meeting.
Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that during an all-party meeting chaired by the Lok Sabha Speaker, it was decided the Lok Sabha will hold a discussion on the 150th anniversary of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ on December 8, followed by a debate on election reforms on December 9.
Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc plans to stage a protest outside Parliament on Wednesday against the new Labour Codes, Congress MP Manickam Tagore said. He has also submitted an adjournment notice in the Lok Sabha seeking a discussion on the matter. “From today, Parliament will function in the morning, and we will protest against the Labour Codes,” he told.
As proceedings begin for Day 3 of the Winter Session, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to move the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks to increase excise duties and cess on tobacco products by amending the Central Excise Act, 1944.
Additionally, the Lok Sabha Secretary-General will present a message from the Rajya Sabha regarding the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was already passed in the Lower House on Day 1 of the session.
In the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav is likely to move a statutory resolution recommending the adoption of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024 in Manipur. The Act aims to decriminalise and rationalise minor offences to promote trust-based governance and improve ease of living and doing business.
