Is the All-party Meeting Just a Formality Before the Shortest Winter Session?
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Synopsis
As the Parliament gears up for its Winter Session, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh labels the all-party meeting as a mere formality. He raises concerns over the Modi government's approach, claiming a lack of genuine consultation with the Opposition. With only 15 sittings planned, this session is set to be one of the shortest in recent history.
Key Takeaways
- All-party meeting criticized as mere formality
- Session to be among the shortest ever
- Government plans to introduce 13 new bills
- Opposition voices concerns over transparency
- Key issues include unemployment and inflation
New Delhi, Nov 30 (NationPress) On Sunday, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh described the all-party meeting organized by the Centre in anticipation of the Winter Session of Parliament as a “mere formality”. He criticized the Modi government for allegedly disclosing its agenda by proposing a topic for a short-duration discussion “without consulting the Opposition”.
The meeting took place just a day before the session is set to commence on Monday, where Opposition representatives raised concerns on various issues including electoral roll updates, the recent explosion in Delhi, unemployment, inflation, federalism, and law-and-order issues across multiple states.
The government's intention behind the meeting was to facilitate the smooth operation of both Houses during the session.
This Winter Session is noted for having only 15 sittings, significantly fewer than the typical 20, marking it as one of the shortest sessions in recent history.
During this period, the Centre plans to introduce 13 legislative bills alongside one financial bill.
In a post on X, Ramesh stated: “The all-party meeting called by the Modi Govt to discuss the agenda for the winter session of Parliament starting tomorrow is a mere formality.”
He emphasized that this session “will be the shortest in Parliamentary history”, noting that while 13 Bills are slated for passage—one replacing an ordinance and two having passed through a Lok Sabha committee—ten of these Bills have not been reviewed by the relevant Standing Committee. Furthermore, he warned that a Bill not currently listed could be introduced unexpectedly towards the end of this brief session.
“The Modi Govt has made its intentions clear by listing a subject for a short-duration discussion WITHOUT any consultation with the Opposition,” Ramesh remarked.
His comments arrive amidst growing frustration within the Opposition regarding what they perceive as the unilateral scheduling of discussions. The recent monsoon session also suffered from low productivity amid protests concerning the Special Intensive Review (SIR) processes in Bihar.
Point of View
The recent statements by Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh reflect ongoing tensions between the ruling party and the Opposition. While the government aims for efficiency during the Winter Session, the lack of thorough consultation raises questions about democratic processes. Balancing legislative productivity with inclusive dialogue remains crucial.
NationPress
30/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jairam Ramesh call the all-party meeting a formality?
He argued that the Modi government has predetermined its agenda without proper consultation with the Opposition, undermining the meeting's purpose.
What are the main issues raised by the Opposition during the meeting?
Opposition leaders highlighted concerns including unemployment, inflation, electoral roll revisions, and law-and-order issues in various states.
How many bills are expected to be introduced during the Winter Session?
The government plans to introduce 13 legislative bills along with one financial bill during this session.
What makes this Winter Session notable?
This session will be notably short, with only 15 sittings scheduled, which is fewer than the usual 20.
What criticisms have been levied against the Modi government?
Critics, including Ramesh, accuse the government of lacking transparency and consultation with the Opposition regarding the legislative agenda.
