Parliament's Winter Session: Key Bills Passed Amidst Debates, Opportunity for Bipartisan Cooperation
Parliament's winter session saw key Bills passed and less acrimony, offering a chance for future cooperation.
Photo by ANNIE HATUANH
Editorial Analysis
The editorial argues that the less acrimonious winter session of Parliament, despite its legislative achievements and some contentious debates, presents a valuable opportunity for political parties to foster greater bipartisan cooperation and improve parliamentary functioning.
Main Arguments:
- The winter session saw significant legislative business, including the passage of eight Bills, such as the VB-G RAM G Bill and allowing 100% FDI in insurance, indicating productive legislative output.
- The session was notably less acrimonious than previous ones, leading to improved inter-party exchanges and a more conducive environment for parliamentary work, which is a positive development for India's democracy.
- Despite the positive aspects, opportunities were missed, such as using the Vande Mataram discussion for national unity rather than political grandstanding, and the government's refusal to debate critical issues like air pollution.
- The practice of rushing Bills and limiting the role of parliamentary committees remains a concern, hindering thorough legislative scrutiny, even as Question Hour and Zero Hour were more productive.
Conclusion
Policy Implications
The recent winter session of Parliament, spanning 15 sittings, concluded with significant legislative activity and notably less acrimony compared to previous sessions. Eight Bills were passed by both Houses, including one repealing outdated laws, another allowing 100% FDI in the insurance sector, and the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, which replaces MGNREGA. A point of contention arose over the use of Hindi titles for several Bills, drawing criticism from non-Hindi regions.
Debates on electoral reforms and the national song 'Vande Mataram' consumed considerable time. Despite the government not allowing a discussion on air pollution, the session saw more productive Question and Zero Hours. The acknowledged reduction in acrimony, even leading to pleasant exchanges between government and opposition leaders, presents a crucial opportunity to foster greater bipartisan cooperation in future parliamentary proceedings.
Key Facts
Winter session had 15 sittings
10 Bills introduced, 8 passed by both Houses
Bills passed include: repealing outdated laws, 100% FDI in insurance, VB-G RAM G Bill (replacing MGNREGA)
Debates on Vande Mataram (11+ hours in LS, 13+ hours in RS) and electoral reforms (13 hours in LS, 11 hours in RS)
Session was 'less acrimonious' than in recent past
UPSC Exam Angles
Parliamentary procedures and functioning (Question Hour, Zero Hour, legislative process)
Constitutional provisions related to language in Parliament (Article 348)
Social welfare schemes (MGNREGA and its successor VB-G RAM G)
Economic policy (FDI in insurance sector)
Electoral reforms and their significance
Role of opposition and government in legislative business
Visual Insights
Winter Session 2025: Key Legislative Outcomes
A snapshot of the significant legislative achievements and procedural highlights from the recent Winter Session of Parliament, concluding in December 2025.
- Bills Passed
- 8
- FDI in Insurance Sector
- 100%Increased
- MGNREGA Replaced By
- VB-G RAM G Bill
- Parliamentary Acrimony
- Reduced
- Productive Question/Zero Hours
- Increased
Number of Bills passed by both Houses, indicating legislative activity.
Significant policy liberalization, allowing full foreign ownership in the insurance sector.
The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill replaces the long-standing MGNREGA.
Noted reduction in disruptions and increased bipartisan exchanges, fostering cooperation.
More effective use of Question and Zero Hours, enhancing government accountability.
MGNREGA vs. Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Grammin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill
A comparative analysis of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and its proposed replacement, the VB-G RAM G Bill, highlighting key differences and continuity.
| Feature | MGNREGA (2005) | VB-G RAM G Bill (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Objective | Guarantee 100 days of unskilled manual work to rural households. | Guarantee employment and enhance livelihood security, with an emphasis on skill development and asset quality. |
| Scope of Work | Primarily unskilled manual work, focus on durable assets. | Broader scope including skilled/semi-skilled work, focus on climate-resilient and high-value assets, integration with other development schemes. |
| Skill Development | Limited explicit focus. | Integrated component for skill enhancement and vocational training for beneficiaries. |
| Asset Quality | Concerns often raised about asset quality and utility. | Stronger emphasis on creating high-quality, sustainable, and economically productive assets. |
| Livelihood Diversification | Indirectly supports livelihoods. | Direct focus on diversifying rural livelihoods beyond wage employment, promoting entrepreneurship. |
| Technology Integration | Increasing use of DBT, social audits. | Enhanced digital integration for planning, monitoring, payment, and skill mapping. |
| Funding Mechanism | Shared between Central (wage, 75% material) and State (25% material, unemployment allowance) governments. | Likely similar sharing, but with potential for performance-linked incentives for states. |
| Demand-Driven | Yes, work within 15 days or unemployment allowance. | Retains demand-driven nature, possibly with refined mechanisms for work allocation and unemployment allowance. |
More Information
Background
Latest Developments
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill and its predecessor, MGNREGA: 1. The VB-G RAM G Bill is intended to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). 2. MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. 3. Under MGNREGA, at least one-third of the beneficiaries have to be women. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 2 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
Statement 1 is correct as per the news summary, stating that the VB-G RAM G Bill replaces MGNREGA. Statement 2 correctly describes a core provision of MGNREGA. Statement 3 is also a key feature of MGNREGA, ensuring gender equity in employment generation. All three statements are correct.
2. In the context of legislative procedures and language in Parliament, consider the following statements: 1. Article 348 of the Constitution mandates that the authoritative text of all Bills to be introduced in Parliament shall be in English. 2. The Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha allow for the use of Hindi or English for the transaction of business in the House. 3. A Bill passed by both Houses of Parliament becomes an Act only after it is published in the Gazette of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 2 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: C
Statement 1 is correct. Article 348(1)(b) specifies that the authoritative texts of all Bills introduced in Parliament shall be in the English language. Statement 2 is correct. Article 120(1) of the Constitution states that business in Parliament shall be transacted in Hindi or in English. Statement 3 is incorrect. A Bill passed by both Houses becomes an Act only after receiving the President's assent, not merely after publication in the Gazette. Publication in the Gazette usually follows the President's assent, signifying its enactment.