LIVE | Parliament Winter Session 2025: ‘We must begin discussion on SIR,’ says Kharge; Rijiju says ‘will discuss’

Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan on Monday highlighted Delhi’s worsening air pollution as a major concern ahead of the Winter Session. She urged Parliament to dedicate time for a full debate on the crisis. Ranjan pointed out that air quality is deteriorating rapidly, causing health problems for people. She said a day-long discussion is needed in the House to find a joint solution to the problem.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Sunday warned that it would disrupt Parliament during the Winter Session if a debate is not held on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. After the government’s all-party meeting, SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav said the issue must be addressed since the Election Commission is carrying out the exercise and it cannot be ignored. Yadav added that the party raised the SIR issue because of widespread irregularities, noting that voter deletions and malpractices, especially in Bihar, have been observed on a large scale. He said the government cannot avoid the discussion by referring to the Election Commission.

Congress MPs Manickam Tagore and Vijay Kumar (Vijay Vasanth) have both submitted Adjournment Motion Notices in the Lok Sabha, demanding immediate suspension of the SIR exercise across all 12 states and Union Territories.

During the Winter Session in Lucknow, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal criticised the Opposition for delaying proceedings over the SIR issue, saying that Parliament needs to focus on its legislative work. He noted that the Constitution gives the House the responsibility to debate, examine, and raise matters that affect citizens, and highlighted that the Speaker is ready to take up any topic through the Business Advisory Committee.

Pal also pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is open to discussing all issues and stressed that Parliament is meant for debate, discussion, and decision-making, not disruption. He warned that the ongoing interruptions are harming democracy.

Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and electoral integrity: Opposition parties are raising concerns over alleged irregularities in the SIR process, including claims that genuine voters have been removed and fake voters added, especially in states going to elections. They want a full discussion on these issues and the alleged malpractices.

National security: They are worried about lapses in security and want a debate on the recent Delhi blast, which they say highlights these failures.

Delhi’s Air pollution: The Opposition is calling for a detailed discussion on rising air pollution, particularly in Delhi and other states, and wants the government to explain its plans to tackle the crisis.

Foreign policy: Questions have been raised about the direction of Prime Minister Modi’s foreign policy, with some leaders suggesting that it is being influenced by pressure from other countries.

Economic security for farmers: They are highlighting the problem of farmers not getting fair prices for their crops.

Erosion of parliamentary traditions: Opposition leaders allege that the government is limiting the length of sessions and restricting debates, which they say undermines democracy and parliamentary norms.

Role of governors: They claim that governors are delaying Bills passed in opposition-ruled states and that central funds are being withheld.

Key Bills:

1. Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025

2. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025

3. Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025 (to replace an ordinance)

4. Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025

5. National Highways (Amendment) Bill, 2025

6. Atomic Energy Bill, 2025

7. Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025

8. Securities Markets Code Bill, 2025

9. Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025

10. Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2025

11. Higher Education Commission of India Bill, 2025

12. Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025

13. Health and National Security Cess Bill, 2025

Financial Business

Presentation, discussion and voting on the first set of Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2025–26, followed by the introduction, review and passage of the related Appropriation Bill, 2025.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh has filed a Suspension of Business Notice in the Rajya Sabha, asking for a discussion on the SIR of electoral rolls, claims of wrongful voter deletions, and the recent deaths of Booth Level Officers.

Earlier on Sunday, Opposition parties presented a united stand at the all-party meeting, where they pressed for discussions on the SIR exercise and the recent blast in Delhi, linking it to national security. They also asked for debates in Parliament on air pollution, foreign policy and several other issues. The government side at the meeting included Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who led the discussions, along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The Leader of the Rajya Sabha and Health Minister J P Nadda was also present. Altogether, 50 leaders from 36 political parties attended.

Opposition leaders said the government did not give any assurance on taking up the SIR issue. One senior leader said the ministers heard them out but offered no clear response. According to sources, SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav warned that his party would block the functioning of the House if SIR was not brought up for discussion.

During the Rajya Sabha Business Advisory Committee meeting, chaired by Vice President and House Chairman C P Radhakrishnan, the government is said to have suggested holding a discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram. The Opposition agreed to this, but repeated their demand for a short discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which is currently happening in nine states and three Union Territories.

Opposition members said the SIR debate could be included in a larger discussion on electoral reforms, but stressed that it must take place on Monday afternoon. According to sources, the meeting ended without a final decision on this.

The Opposition also brought up the SIR issue during the Lok Sabha Business Advisory Committee meeting, asking that a clear time be set for a debate on electoral reforms. The government is said to have replied that it would respond to their request later. While the Opposition wanted the session to start with a debate on electoral reforms, the ruling side argued that the first discussion in the Lok Sabha must be on the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, as it is a constitutional requirement.

The Winter Session of Parliament starts today amid high tension as the Opposition is united in demanding a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. They have warned that they may disrupt proceedings if the government does not agree.

The Opposition on Sunday said that it was willing to discuss SIR as part of a larger debate on electoral reforms. At the same time, the government asked Opposition leaders to cooperate to ensure the session runs smoothly. Sources said the government told them it would respond on the SIR issue later, while suggesting a discussion on Vande Mataram for now. These talks happened first at an all-party meeting and then continued during the Business Advisory Committee meetings of both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

If the new charge targets tobacco, has the bill looked at what this means for people working in the industry, especially tobacco farmers? And if it is meant to support national security, will a large share of the money go to the defence sector? How much does the government plan to invest in improving public health through strong, dedicated institutions?

Stay with us as we bring to you the answers of all the questions surrounding the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill and the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill.

As per the agenda outlined in the business advisory committee (BAC) for the session, here’s what the two key bills are about:

Right now, products like cigarettes, chewing tobacco and pan masala face a 28% GST, along with an extra compensation cess that varies widely depending on the item. This cess was created to help states make up for revenue they lost when GST was introduced.

The new Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, bill aims to replace this cess with a central excise duty on these products. Excise duty is a tax charged on the manufacturing of certain goods, which means the government is shifting these items back to a system similar to what existed before GST.

This amendment is linked to another bill that brings in a new Health Security and National Security Cess. This cess would be charged on the machines or processes used to make certain products, such as equipment used to process tobacco.

Money collected from the excise duty and the new cess would be set aside only for public health and national security. It could support things like anti-tobacco campaigns, better healthcare facilities, or health programmes linked to defence.

Reports of the government planning to introduce a new cess to raise money for national security and health has been rife since Sunday. But public health experts believe that the real issue is how this money will actually be used. Since more details are still awaited, many doubts persist along with ideas on how the funds could be deployed? One senior public health expert, who did not want to be named, told The Financial Express, that he was in favour of the money to be used for creating a dedicated institute for health promotion, similar to what Thailand has done.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will on Monday place a Bill in the Lok Sabha to introduce a new cess for public health and national security. This cess will replace the GST compensation cess on tobacco, which will end once the Centre finishes repaying the loans it took to compensate states. Monday also marks the start of the 15-day winter session of Parliament.

According to the Lok Sabha’s list of business, the new cess will be charged on the machines or processes used to make certain goods, though the exact list has not been shared yet. The aim is to keep the total tax on cigarettes, gutkha, pan masala and other tobacco products at the same level even after the GST compensation cess expires.