The forthcoming winter session of the Parliament in 2023 promises to be a pivotal moment in India’s legislative landscape, as the government gears up to introduce a substantial agenda comprising seven new bills and the consideration of 11 pending ones. Scheduled to commence on December 4 and extend until December 22, this parliamentary session is poised to address critical issues that span fiscal allocations, legal reforms, and social equity.
List of Bills likely to be taken up during the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament
— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2023
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill 2023 are among the Bills likely to be taken up.
The winter session of Parliament, 2023… pic.twitter.com/62JlrQSAdZ
Key Highlights of the Government’s Legislative Priorities
At the forefront of the government’s agenda is the presentation of a comprehensive batch of supplementary demands for grants, intended to secure additional funding for the fiscal year 2023-2024. Of particular interest are allocations earmarked for subsidies on essential commodities such as food, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and fertilisers. Additionally, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme is slated to receive attention, with the government seeking approval for additional financial support.
A glance at the legislative docket reveals seven new bills, each carrying distinct policy objectives. Notably, the proposed bills aim to incorporate recommendations from the 52nd meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, held on October 7. Furthermore, the establishment of the Central Tribal University in Telangana is a significant proposal on the table. The government is also championing legislative reforms by introducing bills that advocate for women’s quotas in the legislative assemblies of Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry.
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Government Pursues Sweeping Legal Reforms
Adding to the legislative agenda are 11 pending bills, indicative of the government’s commitment to legal overhauls. Among these proposals is a significant endeavour to redraft core legal frameworks, including the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act. In a noteworthy move during the previous monsoon session in August, the government introduced the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita as potential replacements for the existing legal paradigms. These proposals were subsequently referred to a parliamentary standing committee, which has since submitted its report to the Lok Sabha.
Election Impact on Winter Session
The timeline of the winter session coincides with the eagerly anticipated announcement of election results from five state assemblies—Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, and Telangana—scheduled for December 3. The outcomes of these elections are poised to significantly influence the parliamentary deliberations, adding a layer of political dynamism to the legislative proceedings. As the government endeavours to secure the passage of crucial bills, the intersection of electoral outcomes and legislative priorities will undoubtedly shape the contours of this winter session, making it a critical juncture in the 17th Lok Sabha’s tenure.
