Mahua's Expulsion, 146 Oppn MPs' Suspension, Security Breach, Key Bills Passed: Parl’s Winter Session Ends

Both Houses of the Parliament’s Winter Session were adjourned sine die on Thursday, a day ahead of schedule. The highlights of the three-week-long proceedings include a security breach in Lok Sabha, the suspension of 146 MPs and the expulsion of Trinamool Congress member Mahua Moitra in the “bribe-for-query” case and the passing of three new Criminal Bills.

The Winter Session of the Parliament also marked the first session to be held in the new Parliament building.

Here’s What All Happened in Winter Session of Parliament 2023 –

• On December 13, the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, two intruders jumped into the chamber of the Lok Sabha from the public gallery while proceedings were underway and released yellow gas from canisters. They shouted slogans before being overpowered by MPs.
• During the session, both Houses approved some key bills including those to replace colonial-era laws Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Indian Evidence Act, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the Telegraph Act and the Press and Registration of Books Act.
• As many as 100 MPs were suspended from Lok Sabha, and 46 from Rajya Sabha for disrupting proceedings, showing placards and sloganeering over the Parliament breach issue.
• According to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the House recorded 74% productivity, and 18 draft legislations, including the new criminal justice bills, were passed.
• Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar stated that the Upper House was able to transact business for 65 hours during the 14 sittings.
• “I am pained to state that nearly 22 hours were lost due to avoidable disruptions adversely impacting our overall productivity that finally stood at 79%,” the Vice President said in his valedictory remarks.
• Rajya Sabha passed a total of 17 Bills including legislation related to Jammu & Kashmir, the Appointment of Election Commissioners, the Post Office Bill, The Telecommunications Bill and the three Bills namely Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita were passed during this session.
• On December 8, a report of the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee on the “bribe-for-query” case, was tabled in the House. The report recommended the expulsion of TMC MP Mahua Moitra, following which, a resolution for her expulsion was passed by Lok Sabha.
• Moitra was not allowed to speak in the House, and after her expulsion, opposition MPs staged a walkout in solidarity.
• In his concluding remarks ahead of the adjournment, the Lok Sabha Speaker said 14 sittings were held and the House worked for 61 hours and 50 minutes. As many as 18 bills were passed in the session, including bills like the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second), which will replace the IPC, the CrPC, and the Evidence Act.
• A bill to regulate the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners was also passed.
• Among other Bills passed were the Post Office Bill, which seeks to repeal the 125-year-old Indian Post Office Act, the Telecommunication Bill and the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill was also approved.