Winter Session Day 3: Lok Sabha passes Bill to levy excise duty on tobacco

Congress accuses Centre of ‘snooping’ in Sanchar Saathi row

The Congress on Wednesday accused the Centre of engaging in “brazen snooping” on citizens amid mounting controversy over the mandatory installation of the Sanchar Saathi application. The criticism followed the Department of Telecom’s directive requiring mobile manufacturers and importers to pre-install the fraud-reporting app on all new devices within 90 days.

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia told the Lok Sabha that “snooping is neither possible nor will it happen with the app,” and said the government was open to modifying the order based on public feedback. He added that the app could be deleted.

The Congress dismissed this explanation, with party spokesperson Pawan Khera alleging that the government had been caught “red-handed” and was now offering a “false and deceptive clarification.” He argued that Scindia’s statement contradicted the government’s own order, saying “Section 7(b) categorically states that the pre-installed app cannot be removed, nor can any of its functionalities be disabled or restricted.”

Calling the directive a “blatant assault on the Fundamental Right to Privacy,” Khera claimed it amounted to mass surveillance. “This is not a clarification; it is a blatant lie,” he said, accusing the government of attempting to normalise intrusive monitoring. He further questioned why citizens had not been consulted before what he termed an “intrusive diktat” was issued.

The Congress leader said the public would not accept violations of privacy “under the pretext of governance.”

(With agency inputs)

Supriya Sule flags surrogate ads, urges MPs to lead anti-tobacco drive

NCP–Sharad Pawar MP Supriya Sule in Lok Sabha highlighted what she described as indirect promotional tactics used by tobacco companies, noting that many firms sell non-tobacco products and use the advertising of these items to “indirectly promote their tobacco products.” She told the House that such surrogate branding allows companies to maintain visibility despite restrictions on direct tobacco advertising.

Sule also urged lawmakers to take a more active role in public health outreach. She suggested that members of Parliament “can be given a target” to conduct anti-tobacco campaigns in their constituencies, arguing that a structured effort would strengthen awareness at the community level.

Her remarks were made during ongoing discussions on tobacco regulation, with several MPs emphasising the need for stronger preventive measures to address rising consumption.

Rahul Gandhi accuses Modi govt of 'betrayal' over caste census

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi accused the Narendra Modi government of “openly betraying” the country’s Bahujans by failing to present any clear roadmap for conducting a caste census. His remarks came a day after the government submitted its response in the Lok Sabha to his questions on the upcoming decadal census and caste enumeration.

Gandhi said the government’s reply revealed “no concrete framework, no time-bound plan, no discussion in Parliament and no dialogue with the public” on the exercise. In a post in Hindi on X, he added that “there is not even any desire to learn from the strategies of successful caste surveys in other states.” Calling the government’s stance an “open betrayal of the country’s Bahujans,” the Leader of the Opposition claimed the Centre lacked seriousness on the issue.

On Tuesday, Gandhi had posed three questions in the Lok Sabha, seeking details and tentative timelines for key preparatory steps ahead of the census, including the drafting of questions and scheduling. He also asked whether the government intended to publish draft questionnaires for public feedback and whether best practices from state-level caste surveys were being considered.

Responding in writing, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the Census 2027 would be undertaken in two phases. Phase I-the House Listing and Housing Census-will be held between April and September 2026 over a 30-day period, depending on state and Union Territory convenience. Phase II- Population Enumeration will take place in February 2027, with exceptions for Ladakh, parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where enumeration will be conducted in September 2026.

Rai added that questionnaire drafting follows consultations with ministries, departments and data users, and that each census incorporates lessons from previous exercises.

(With agency inputs)

TMC protests in Parliament over unpaid Central dues to Bengal

Trinamool Congress MPs staged a demonstration inside the Parliament premises, protesting what they described as massive unpaid Central dues owed to West Bengal. Carrying banners and placards alleging that the Centre owes the State Rs 2 lakh crore, the MPs marched toward Parliament House while raising slogans over the issue.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra said the protest highlighted what she called a “complete breakdown of the federal structure,” asserting that the Centre had withheld funds under key welfare schemes. “The MGNREGA dues of West Bengal have not been paid for the past four years, either for work already done or for new work enlisted,” she said. Moitra added that the State was awaiting “over Rs7,000-8,000 crore in MGNREGA” payments.

The protest comes amid continuing friction between the TMC-led government in West Bengal and the Centre over financial allocations and alleged delays in disbursement.

DMK’s P. Wilson flags Manipur crisis and Delhi pollution concerns

DMK MP P. Wilson in Rajya Sabha said that the situation in Manipur remains critical, remarking that the State is “on a ventilator,” and urged the government to restore normalcy and conduct Assembly elections at the earliest.

He then shifted focus to the growing pollution crisis nationwide, highlighting the severe air quality in Delhi and noting that residents are “losing eight years of their life” due to toxic air. Wilson argued that traffic congestion and the concentration of administrative functions in the capital worsen the problem. Questioning the timing of the Parliament’s Winter Session, he asked whether it was advisable to convene during peak smog months, adding that not all national work needs to be centralised in Delhi.

As an illustration, he suggested establishing Supreme Court branches in different cities to ease caseload pressure. Wilson also raised concerns about fluoride contamination and what he described as “financial pollution” in Tamil Nadu.DMK MP P. Wilson on Wednesday said that the situation in Manipur remains critical, remarking that the State is “on a ventilator,” and urged the government to restore normalcy and conduct Assembly elections at the earliest.

He then shifted focus to the growing pollution crisis nationwide, highlighting the severe air quality in Delhi and noting that residents are “losing eight years of their life” due to toxic air. Wilson argued that traffic congestion and the concentration of administrative functions in the capital worsen the problem. Questioning the timing of the Parliament’s Winter Session, he asked whether it was advisable to convene during peak smog months, adding that not all national work needs to be centralised in Delhi.

As an illustration, he suggested establishing Supreme Court branches in different cities to ease caseload pressure. Wilson also raised concerns about fluoride contamination and what he described as “financial pollution” in Tamil Nadu.

BJP slams Renuka Chowdhury, says Congress undermining Parliament

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Wednesday criticised Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury after her “woof woof” response to a reporter amid the ongoing row over her bringing a dog to Parliament. Trivedi said the episode reflects what he described as a deliberate attempt by the Congress to erode the dignity of the institution.

He questioned the party’s conduct, asking, “Why is the Congress party engaged in this campaign to tarnish the dignity of the Indian Parliament?” Trivedi also referred to recent remarks by the Prime Minister, adding, “Is this what the Prime Minister said is true, that the Congress is becoming the 'Muslim League Maowadi Congress'?”

Arguing that the actions mirrored an “urban Naxalite mindset,” Trivedi said it signalled an effort to undermine constitutional processes. Chowdhury’s gesture and remarks have triggered sharp political reactions during the Winter Session’s already contentious proceedings.

Sitharaman explains changes in tobacco duties under Excise Bill

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha explained the provisions of the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, outlining how taxation on tobacco products has shifted since the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax. She noted that “central excise rates are normally prescribed under the Fourth Schedule of the Central Excise Act of 1944,” adding that tobacco and related products fall under Section IV of the Act.

Sitharaman reminded the House that the Centre had surrendered its excise authority on tobacco when GST was implemented in 2017. “The Central Government gave up its excise rights and the duties… were given away in favour of the GST Council,” she said. This enabled the Council to impose a compensation cess on tobacco, replacing excise duties, with the revenue directed to states during the transition to GST.

She stressed that the transitional period has ended, stating, “Now the compensation cess time is over.”

Renuka Chowdhury defends dog incident, shrugs off BJP objections

Congress MP and former Union Minister Renuka Chowdhury, who recently courted controversy by entering Parliament with a dog and criticising fellow lawmakers, remained unapologetic on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, she insisted that she has broken no rule and is unbothered by threats of action from BJP leaders. “If they want to bring a motion against me… let them do so; it doesn’t matter to me,” she said, adding that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had once arrived at Parliament in a bullock cart. She argued that dogs hold significance in Hindu tradition and maintained that no parliamentary rule had been breached.

Responding to questions about the BJP’s objections and the possibility of a privilege motion, Chowdhury dismissed the criticism and even offered a mock “bark” to underscore her point. She reiterated that the warnings from the ruling party do not concern her and that she stands by her actions inside the Rajya Sabha.

Rajya Sabha proceedings resume

Rajya Sabha proceedings resume at 2 pm after lunch. 

Govt defends Sanchar Saathi app amid Opposition's privacy concerns

Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar on Wednesday described the Sanchar Saathi application as a crucial tool against cyber fraud, echoing remarks made earlier in Parliament by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. He stressed that the app can be removed from phones, adding that the government is open to reviewing the directive mandating its pre-installation.

Urging critics to examine the platform themselves, he said, “I ask anyone who says it is a snooping app to please download the app… This is, in my view, probably the only way to prevent cyber fraud.”

Sekhar explained that the purpose of the app is to gather inputs from informed users and use that knowledge to assist vulnerable groups. He noted that it has been developed in multiple regional languages and highlighted its reach, saying “almost 20 crore website hits are coming… and 1.4 crore people have already downloaded this app.” He also pointed out that both Apple and Google have vetted the application, reiterating that users may delete it if they choose.

Earlier, Scindia told the Lok Sabha that the app does not function unless a user registers, stating, “Till the user registers in the app, it will not operate.” He added that the government is ready to modify the DoT order if public feedback demands it and maintained, “Snooping is not possible, nor will it be done," reported ANI. The Opposition, however, has raised privacy concerns over the mandatory pre-installation requirement.