Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla conducts proceedings in the House amid protest by opposition members in the well on the first day of the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Monday, December 1. (Sansad TV via PTI Photo)
Winter Session: Govt not averse to discussing SIR, says Rijiju
Day 1 begins on expected lines: both Houses adjourned over SIR protests, chaos
The first day of the Winter session witnessed repeated adjournments of the Lok Sabha and an Opposition walkout from the Rajya Sabha over the demand for a debate on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, as the government asserted that it is not averse to a discussion, but a timeline could not be set.
PM blasts Opposition ahead of session
Interacting with reporters in Parliament House complex before the start of the session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Opposition, accusing it of turning Parliament into a "warm-up arena" for elections or as an outlet to vent out frustration after defeat, and offered to give them tips to bring positivity in politics.
He said Parliament was not a place for drama but delivery.
FM introduces two bills
In the Lok Sabha, amid disruptions, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced two new bills that seek to repurpose levies on 'sin goods' such as tobacco, pan masala and related products.
The bills were introduced ahead of the scheduled phaseout of the GST compensation cess levied on them.
Rijiju on SIR in Rajya Sabha
In the Rajya Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asserted that the government is not averse to discussing SIR or electoral reforms and asked the Opposition not to insist on setting a timeline.
He was responding to Opposition members who were demanding an immediate discussion on the SIR or electoral reforms in the House.
Not satisfied with the minister's response, members of several Opposition parties staged a walkout from the Upper House.
Responding to the Opposition parties' demand to start an immediate discussion on the ongoing SIR exercise in nine states and three Union Territories, Rijiju sought more time to respond to the matter.
Rajya Sabha Chairperson C P Radhakrishnan, the Vice President of India, had earlier disallowed notices given by nine Opposition members on several issues, including a discussion on SIR, leading to protests by the Opposition.
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Live Updates
- 1 Dec 2025 4:47 PM IST
Both Houses adjourned for the day
Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day. Earlier in the day Lok Sabha was also adjourned.
- 1 Dec 2025 4:39 PM IST
Poor dam management did not worsen Punjab floods: Govt in RS
The Jal Shakti ministry on Monday denied that poor reservoir management at major dams such as Bhakra and Pong had worsened the recent floods in Punjab, asserting that the deluge was driven by exceptionally high inflows caused by extensive rainfall in the catchment areas.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary said the inflows at Pong and Bhakra in 2025 touched 3,49,522 cusecs and 1,90,603 cusecs respectively, prompting regulated releases of dam water in accordance with rule curves, dam safety norms and the limited carrying capacity of the Sutlej and Beas rivers downstream.
"Recent floods in Punjab were not aggravated due to poor reservoir management at major dams Pong and Bhakra," the minister said in a written response.
"Reservoir regulation was done to achieve maximum moderation and absorption of floods," he said, adding that the decisions to release dam water were taken by a technical committee comprising representatives from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, the Central Water Commission and the Bhakra Beas Management Board.
The ministry emphasised that buffer levels were adequately maintained before the monsoon and said all releases were made after giving a minimum 24-hour advance notice.
On whether any agency was found responsible for failing to maintain buffer levels, the government reiterated that reservoir levels before the monsoon were within average ranges and "requisite buffer storage was in place". PTI
- 1 Dec 2025 4:38 PM IST
CPCB identified 4,493 polluting industries across India: Govt in RS
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has identified a total of 4,493 Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) across the country in its report this year, of which 3,633 were operational, and 860 had shut down on their own, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Monday.
Among the operational units, 3,031 were found complying with environmental norms, while 572 industries were issued show-cause notices, 29 received closure directions and one unit was issued specific directions.
In a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary said that according to the CPCB, there are a total of 4,493 industries under GPIs.
"Out of which, 3,633 industries were operational, and 860 industries had closed down on their own. Among the operational industries, 3,031 industries were reported to be complying with the environmental standards, while 572 industries were issued show-cause notices and closure directions were issued to 29 non-complying industries," the minister said in a written response.
The CPCB, in its 2025 report on ‘Polluted River Stretches (PRSs) for Restoration of Water Quality’, identified 296 polluted river stretches on the 271 rivers in 32 states/Union territories. It report is based on the assessment of 623 rivers. PTI
- 1 Dec 2025 4:25 PM IST
Sandhu seeks probe into 'dunki route' trafficking
“ The global network for trafficking the youths of Punjab. They are being illegally taken to other countries. Recently, some of the youths of Punjab were found in Russia, caught in the wa,r and someof them lost their lives. I urge the government to investigate the ‘Dunki route’,” says Satnam Singh Sandhu, nominated MP.
- 1 Dec 2025 3:51 PM IST
Rijiju says govt not averse to discussing SIR matter
“You are not allowing me to respond. It shows that you are not interested in the discussion. Nobody is undermining any matter brought up by the Opposition. It is under the consideration of the government. If you demand that this has to be discussed today, it becomes very difficult,” says Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on the Opposition’s demand for discussion on the SIR.
“The matter related to SIR or electoral reform, the government is not averse to taking up discussions on it. I am requesting that you please give some time. So don’t presume that the government does not want to discuss anything,” he added.
- 1 Dec 2025 3:45 PM IST
Kharge warns govt against dividing Opposition unity SIR discussion demand
“ It is not one two or four parties. All Opposition patty leadrs discussed that we take the SIR matter first. Otherwise, we will have to protest against it. I urge the Parliamentary Affairs Minister not to try to divide us. If he does, we will be stronger,” Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.
- 1 Dec 2025 3:23 PM IST
Rajya Sabha Chairman urges respect for House rules
“Leaders should respect the Parliamentary rules. The Constitution along with the Rajtya Sabha rukes are the Lakshman Rekha within which members should function,” says Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan.
- 1 Dec 2025 3:21 PM IST
Rajya Sabha Chairman urges members to uphold democratic values
“ It is my honour and privilege to serve Bharat Mata, and thank you for electing me as the Vice President of India and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. We all should be celebrating the power of Indian democracy, and I urge you to continue the great legacy. It is essential for every citizen to live up to the values of justice, equality and fraternity. I humbly request the members of the August House to uphold these values. The entire nation looks up to us for mature deliberations. We should pledge the basic principles of Parliamentary democracy,” says Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan.
- 1 Dec 2025 3:13 PM IST
JP Nadda praises Chairman's past party leadership
“ I consider myself as fortunate for being the national president of the party of which you were the then Tamil Nadu president at a time when the party was facing challenges. You have been the in-charge of BJP and Kerala and strengthened the party in the State. We have full faith in your ability to run the House smoothly. During the discussion some comments diverted from the topic. ” says BJP president JP Nadda.
