Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday dismissed the government-convened all-party meeting ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament as “a mere formality,” expressing concerns over the session’s brevity and legislative agenda.
Posting on handle X, Ramesh criticised the Modi government for listing only 13 Bills for passage during the upcoming 15-day session—the shortest in India’s parliamentary history. “Of these, only one replaces an ordinance, and just two have been scrutinised by a Lok Sabha committee,” he pointed out, highlighting that ten Bills have not undergone examination by the relevant standing committees.
Ramesh also warned, “It is possible that a Bill not listed at present will suddenly get introduced towards the later part of the short session,” suggesting a lack of transparency and consultation. He added, “The Modi government has made its intentions clear by listing subjects for brief discussion without any consultation with the Opposition.”
His remarks underline opposition apprehensions about the government’s alleged approach to parliamentary proceedings and the marginalised role of dissenting voices in the upcoming session.