Speaker Birla Calls for Duty and Debate Ahead of Parliament’s Winter Session

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday urged all members of Parliament to “strengthen the healthy traditions of democracy” and actively contribute to a productive Winter Session, which began today.

In a statement ahead of the 15-sitting session, Birla characterised Parliament as the “supreme forum for the expression of the nation’s expectations, the people’s aspirations, democratic values, and the collective responsibility of elected representatives.”

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He emphasised that “each session of Parliament also orients us towards the inspiration of duty, restraint, and public welfare, which deepens the spirit of people’s representation.”

The Speaker expressed hope that “all honourable members will strengthen the healthy traditions of democracy and make a meaningful contribution to making this session productive through their active participation.”

The session, scheduled to run from December 1 to December 19, has a busy legislative agenda. The government plans to table 13 Bills, including a replacement for an ordinance and two Bills previously cleared by a Lok Sabha committee. Additionally, ten Bills are awaiting scrutiny by the relevant standing committees.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the First Batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2025-26 on Monday. The session will also include a short-duration discussion on a government-selected subject.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju held an all-party meeting on Sunday to outline the agenda and appeal for cross-party cooperation.

Birla’s call for constructive debate comes amid expected political friction. The Opposition is poised to raise several contentious issues, including the recent internal security lapse following the November 10 Red Fort terror blast, unemployment, air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, and broader electoral reforms. In response, the government has urged MPs to “avoid creating obstacles” and engage sincerely in the debates.