Indian Parliament's winter session set to start on 4th December: What to expect

The Winter Session of the Indian Parliament is scheduled to take place from December 4 to December 22, encompassing a total of 15 sittings spread over 19 days. This session has been deferred from the usual November start date due to ongoing elections in five Indian states, and it will commence a day after the results of these state assembly elections are announced on December 3. Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, expressed anticipation for discussions on legislative business and other important matters during this upcoming session. Furthermore, it's noteworthy that this session will be the first to be held in the new Parliament building, signifying its significance.

Several key bills are expected to be considered during this session, including proposals to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act. Additionally, a bill pertaining to the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs) may also be discussed. The government had introduced this bill during the Monsoon session but did not push for its passage in a special session of Parliament, considering opposition and concerns from former Chief Election Commissioners. The proposed bill seeks to elevate the status of the CEC and ECs to that of the Cabinet Secretary, on par with the status enjoyed by Supreme Court judges.