Parliament Winter Session Ends With MNREGA Replacement and Nuclear Sector Opening to Private Firms
Parliament Winter Session concludes with key bills passed, including MNREGA replacement and nuclear sector reforms.
The Winter Session of Parliament concluded on Friday with both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha being adjourned sine die, bringing an end to 19 days of intense legislative activity. The session witnessed the passage of several landmark Bills alongside politically charged debates and repeated disruptions. Proceedings began on December 1 and were wrapped up without setting a date for the next sitting.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, in his valedictory address, highlighted that the House achieved 111 per cent productivity, with members often sitting beyond scheduled hours. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present during the adjournment. The session saw two major debates—on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram and electoral reforms—while a proposed discussion on air pollution could not be taken up.
Among the most significant legislations passed was the Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, which replaces the 20-year-old MNREGA and raises guaranteed rural employment from 100 to 125 days. The Bill sparked strong protests, with Opposition members objecting to the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name. Despite disruptions, the legislation was cleared after extended sittings.
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Parliament also approved the SHANTI Bill, opening the civil nuclear sector to private participation, and passed amendments raising foreign direct investment in the insurance sector from 74 per cent to 100 per cent. Additionally, several obsolete laws were repealed, while a proposed higher education regulator Bill was referred to a joint parliamentary committee for further scrutiny.
In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman C P Radhakrishnan reported 121 per cent productivity across 15 sittings spanning nearly 92 hours. He strongly condemned unruly conduct by Opposition members during debates and urged greater decorum. The Upper House passed or returned eight Bills, held extensive discussions, and recorded a sharp rise in Zero Hour activity, reflecting what the Chairman described as the “vibrancy of parliamentary democracy.”
Also Read: Rajya Sabha Adjourned Sine Die as Chairman Criticises Opposition Disruptions
