Parliament winter session Highlights: Rahul Gandhi says not allowed to meet Russian deputy PM
- Parliament Winter Session Highlights: Earlier, the first deputy prime minister of Russia, Denis Manturov arrived at the parliament and said Putin's visit marks a "return to the tradition of annual high-level summits," describing it as a major step toward deepening the strategic partnership.
Parliament winter session Highlights: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that he was denied meeting with first deputy prime minister of Russia Denis Manturov who arrived at the parliament on Thursday ahead of President Vladimir Putin's two-day visit to India....Read More
“It usually is a tradition that whoever visits from outside has a meeting with LoP. It used to happen during the governments of Vajpayee ji, Manmohan Singh ji. This has been a tradition. But these days, foreign dignitaries or when I visit abroad, Govt suggests them to not meet the LoP. This is their policy and they do it all the time,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
- As rupee hit record low on Thursday, Opposition leaders slammed the Centre over the economic policies. The rupee weakened to 90.42, surpassing its previous all-time low of 90.29 hit on Wednesday. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the Centre's economic policies which he blamed for weakening the rupee. He said that the Indian currency has "no value" in the world.
"Rupee is weakening due to their policies. Had their policy been good, the Rupee's value would have gone up. This shows that our economic condition is not good. We can say whatever we want and appreciate ourselves, but this shows that our currency has no value in the world," Kharge was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
- Opposition MPs on Thursday held a protest against the rising air pollution in Delhi and other parts of north India as winter session of the Parliament enters its fourth day. The Opposition also sought to hold a discussion in air pollution crisis that is being seen as the cause of several respiratory diseases, particularly among children and senior citizens.
- Congress MPs moved Adjournment Motion notices in the Lok Sabha to discuss the air crisis as they urged the Centre to declare pollution a national health emergency.
- The motion was moved by Manickam Tagore, Manish Tewari and Vijayakumar alias Vijay Vasanth. Several MPs of the Opposition arrived in the Parliament on day three of the winter session wearing gas masks as a mark of protests against the air pollution. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi had also said that issues such as air pollution need to be discussed in the Parliament.
- Tagore, in his notice to Lok Sabha Secretary General, said the government has failed to to chalk out a coordinated national strategy and “remains paralysed, issuing advisories instead of action, committees instead of solutions”.
- “Even as evidence mounts that pollution increases the risk of cancers, kidney disease, gastrointestinal disorders and metabolic illnesses like diabetes, this Government refuses to declare pollution a national health priority,” PTI quoted Tagore's notice as he demanded a "national clean air mission backed by law, strict liability for polluters, emergency health protocols for exposed populations, and coordinated scientific policymaking."
- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is likely to move the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025 for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha today, ANI reported.
- The Bill aims to augment resources for meeting expenditure on national security and public health, and to levy a cess for the said purposes on machines installed and other processes undertaken for the manufacture or production of specified goods.
Union minister clarifies on Sanchar Saathi app
On Wednesday, union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia responded to Opposition's claims that state-owned cyber security app, Sanchar Saathi, is a breach of privacy. Scindia said that snooping is neither possible nor will happen with this app, which he said, was aimed to protect citizens from frauds.
Scindia said the app order was being misconstrued and the government was willing to make changes to the order based on feedback. Later in the day, Centre announced it would be withdrawing the mandate for the pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Communications stated it has decided to recall its mandate due to the app's “increasing acceptance”.
Parliament winter session 2025: A recap of Day 3
- The tug of war between government and the Opposition parties over Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was also resolved after the government scheduled the debate on the issue for next week.
- The Opposition also protested against the four new labour codes as Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi alleged that the government has snatched away the rights that workers and new avenues for their exploitation have been opened.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met BJP MPs from West Bengal to review the poll preparations for next year's assembly polls there.
- Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury's dog row was abuzz again on Wednesday after she responded with a ‘woof woof’ when reporters asked her that the Rajya Sabha may initiate a privilege motion against her over her recent remarks involving dogs. The BJP reacted sharply to this saying that the Congress MPs were undermining the dignity of the Parliament.
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- 5 Dec 2025, 07:36:46 AM IST
Updates to this blog are closed.
- 4 Dec 2025, 04:44:32 PM IST
Parliament winter session live: What did FM Sitharaman say on the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025?
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman specified the rationale behind the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025. She said that the GST system taxed the consumption of pan masala at 28 per cent plus compensation cess. “Since the compensation cess is going to end, that portion will shift into a 40 per cent cess,” Sitharaman said.
However, the finance minister said that many types of pan masala still do not fall under the tax net because GST is applied on the basis of consumption. “Excise taxes production. But pan masala cannot be taxed on production because it is not classified as an excisable product,” she said.
“Hence, through the new law, the government is imposing a production-based tax in the form of a cess,” Sitharaman added.
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- 4 Dec 2025, 04:11:14 PM IST
Parliament winter session live: Discussion on Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025 underway in LS
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday moved the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha for consideration and passing.
“I rise to move that the bill to augment the resources for meeting expenditure on national security and for public health and to levy assess for the said purposes on the machines installed or other processes undertaken by which specified goods are manufactured or produced and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto,” Sitharaman said.
- 4 Dec 2025, 03:39:54 PM IST
Parliament winter session live: Maximum number of human trafficking cases from Punjab, says EAM Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said in Rajya Sabha that maximum number of human trafficking cases are from Punjab. “As far as states are concerned, the maximum number of trafficking cases is from the state of Punjab,” Jaishankar said.
Jaishankar was replying to supplementaries during the question hour of the Upper House.
The EAM said the Punjab government had constituted an SIT and a fact-finding committee to look into these cases. “As per information given by them to us, 25 FIRs have been registered against 58 illegal travel agents, and 16 accused have been arrested,” Jaishankar said.
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- 4 Dec 2025, 02:44:22 PM IST
Parliament winter session live: Health and National Security Cess won't be levied on essential commodities, says Sitharaman
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said in the Lok Sabha that the Health and National Security Cess will not be levied on essential commodities. Sitharaman said in the Lower House that a Health and National Security Cess will be levied on production capacity of a pan masala unit, in addition to the 40 per cent GST.
- 4 Dec 2025, 02:01:32 PM IST
Parliament winter session live: Rajya Sabha proceedings resume
Rajya Sabha proceedings have resumed again.
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- 4 Dec 2025, 01:55:58 PM IST
Parliament winter session live: Ramdas Athawale calls Rahul Gandhi's allegations ‘baseless’
After Rahul Gandhi said that government doesn't allow leader of opposition to meet foreign dignitaries, union minister Ramdas Athawale called the allegations “baseless.”
"Rahul Gandhi's and Priyanka Gandhi's allegations are baseless. Any opposition leader who wants to meet President Putin can take an appointment. If Putin wants to meet the opposition, the government will place no obstacles."
- 4 Dec 2025, 01:30:30 PM IST
Parliament winter session live: Cong leaders respond as Rahul Gandhi says not allowed to meet Russian dignitaries
Parliament winter session live: After LoP Rahul Gandhi said he was not allowed to meet the visiting Russian dignitaries, Opposition leaders expressed displeasure over it. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, “In a democracy, it would be nice that the visiting dignitaries meet everyone... I think this is an important visit, and in our country, without doubt, many important bilateral relations need to be maintained- with Russia, China, and the US. We cannot accept a proposition that one relationship has to be determined by the nature of another relationship.” Priyanka Gandhi said the government was reversing the protocol. “They don't want anyone to raise their voice. They don't want to listen to any other opinion. They should abide by the protocols of a democracy. God knows what they are scared of. In a democracy, everyone should be able to put forward their opinions, discussions must be held, and appropriate action must be taken. The government is insecure, and this decision is a reflection of that,” she was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
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- 4 Dec 2025, 01:01:42 PM IST
Parliament winter session live: Rahul Gandhi says denied meeting with Russian deputy PM
Parliament winter session live: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that he was denied meeting with first deputy prime minister of Russia Denis Manturov who arrived at the parliament on Thursday.
“It usually is a tradition that whoever visits from outside has a meeting with LoP. It used to happen during the governments of Vajpayee ji, Manmohan Singh ji. This has been a tradition. But these days, foreign dignitaries or when I visit abroad, Govt suggests them to not meet the LoP. This is their policy and they do it all the time,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
- 4 Dec 2025, 12:41:36 PM IST
Parliament winter session live: Kharge criticises Centre over rupee slump
Parliament winter session live: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the Centre as rupee value plunged to an all-time low against dollar. Crtiticising the government's economic policies, Kharge said the Indian currency has no value in the world under the current government. Kharge said that government policies have weakened the Rupee, and that the Indian currency has "no value" in the world. “Rupee is weakening due to their policies. Had their policy been good, the Rupee's value would have gone up. This shows that our economic condition is not good. We can say whatever we want and appreciate ourselves, but this shows that our currency has no value in the world,” Kharge was quoted as saying by ANI.
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- 4 Dec 2025, 12:08:38 PM IST
Parliament winter session live: SP MP's ‘jihad’ remark gets BJP's backlash
Parliament winter session live: BJP MPs demanded an apology from Samajwadi Party Mohibullah Nadvi over his 'Jihad' remark in the Lok Sabha. Nadvi kicked up a row on Wednesday after he said that muslims "might have to do jihad" due to the oppression they are facing in the country. While Nadvi has defended his remarks made during his speech opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Act, BJP launched a strong protest against the statement, dismissing any claims of Muslim oppression.
- 4 Dec 2025, 11:47:36 AM IST
Parliament winter session live: Opposition protests over worsening AQI, say 'Mausam ke mazze lijiye'
Parliament winter session live: Amid the winter session of the Parliament, the opposition bloc has been protesting against the rising levels of air pollution in Delhi.
As per ANI, MPs were seen wearing an oxygen mask and holding a banner to take a jibe at PM Narendra Modi, which read "Mausam ka maza lijiye" (enjoy the weather).
The remark on the banner quotes PM Modi's address at the start of the Winter Session of Parliament.
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- 4 Dec 2025, 11:37:42 AM IST
Parliament winter session live: Russian First Deputy PM Denis Manturov arrives at parliament
Parliament winter session live: Ahead of Russian president Vladimir Putin's visit to India, the first deputy prime minister of Russia, Denis Manturov has arrived at the parliament.
Ahead of Putin's India visit, Manturov, who is also the co-chair of the India-Russia Inter-governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperationsaid said that Putin's visit marks a "return to the tradition of annual high-level summits," describing it as a major step toward deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries."
- 4 Dec 2025, 11:27:31 AM IST
Parliament winter session live: Priyanka Gandhi jibes Centre on air pollution
Parliament winter session live: As the Opposition MPs protested against the air pollution outside the Parliament today, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said children and senior citizens are being affected. “The situation keeps getting worse year after year. Only statements are made every year, no concrete action is taken. We have all said that the government has to take action and we all stand with them. This is not a political issue that we would point fingers at each other,” she said, and added, "Which season should we enjoy? Look at the situation outside. Like Sonia ji said, children are unable to breath. She has asthma, and senior citizens like her are facing breathing difficulty. ..."
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- 4 Dec 2025, 11:20:22 AM IST
Parliament winter session live: Oppn protests against air pollution
Parliament winter session live: Opposition MPs held a protest against the air pollution that has been affecting Delhi and other parts of north India for over a month now. Earlier on Wednesday, Opposition MPs arrived at the Parliament wearing gas masks as a mark of protest.
- 4 Dec 2025, 11:17:31 AM IST
Parliament winter session live: Ajay Maken's dig at BJP, AAP over Delhi air pollution
Parliament winter session live: As the Opposition seeks a debate on Delhi's air pollution, Congress MP Ajay Maken blamed the BJP and the AAP for the crisis in the national capital . “In Delhi, the Delhi government and the Central Government are parties. Neither of them can play the blame game now... Till the time public transport in Delhi is improved, the issue of pollution will not be resolved. During 15 years of Congress, we had everything under control...BJP and AAP have completely failed to curb pollution in Delhi,” he said.
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- 4 Dec 2025, 11:07:28 AM IST
Parliament winter session live: Priyanka Gandhi slams BJP over falling rupee value
Parliament winter session live: As rupee crossed the 90-mark against the dollar, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday took a swipe at the BJP and asked what is their answer now as they had commented when the dollar had risen during Manmohan Singh's time. The rupee slumped 28 paise to an all-time low of 90.43 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday. “Some years ago when (value of) dollar (with respect to the rupee) was high during Manmohan Singh's time, what did these people say? What is their answer now, ask them, why are you asking me,” she told reporters outside the Parliament.
- 4 Dec 2025, 10:57:42 AM IST
Parliament winter session live: What Congress MPs said on air pollution
Parliament winter session live: The motion was moved by Manickam Tagore, Manish Tewari and Vijayakumar alias Vijay Vasanth. Tagore, in his notice to Lok Sabha Secretary General, said the government has failed to to chalk out a coordinated national strategy and “remains paralysed, issuing advisories instead of action, committees instead of solutions”.
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- 4 Dec 2025, 10:56:03 AM IST
Parliament winter session live: Congress MPs seek discussion on air pollution
Parliament winter session live: Seeking a discussion on worsening air quality in Delhi and other parts of north India, Congress MPs have moved Adjournment Motion notices in the Lok Sabha to discuss the issue. Congress's Manickam Tagore, Manish Tewari and Vijayakumar alias Vijay Vasanth moved the notices to discuss the air quality in north India as they urged the Centre to declare pollution a national health emergency.