NEW DELHI, Aug 7:
The monsoon session of Parliament today witnessed both Houses being adjourned for the day till tomorrow, amid continued protests by Opposition members on the contentious issue of Bihar’s revision of electoral rolls.
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On Day 13, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha resumed for its routine business at 11 am but were quickly disrupted and adjourned till 12 pm and 2 pm respectively amid noisy sloganeering by the Opposition.
In Lok Sabha, the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed without discussion, despite loud protests by Opposition MPs demanding a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The Bill authorises payment and appropriation of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of the State of Manipur for the services of the financial year 2025-26.
The Bill was passed without any discussion as opposition members did not relent.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accused the Opposition of shedding “crocodile tears” over Manipur, saying that “while they talk of Manipur, they do not want money to go to the State, which is under President’s rule.”
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha passed the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025, after a brief debate amidst sloganeering by the Opposition MPs. Deputy Chairman Harivansh and Chair Ghanshyam Tiwari urged members to maintain order, but protests persisted throughout the day.
Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge described the current political climate as a “dangerous phase” and urged the Government to permit a debate on the SIR exercise, assuring that the Opposition would act in the nation’s interest.
However, leader of the House and BJP president JP Nadda requested the chair to proceed with the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 bill as per the schedule. The Bill was moved by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal for its passage. The Bill was cleared by Lok Sabha in April.
The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 seeks to consolidate laws related to ports, promote integrated port development and facilitate ease of doing business along India’s coastline. The legislation aims to ensure the optimal utilisation of the country’s vast maritime resources.
Government officials said the Bill proposes the establishment and empowerment of State Maritime Boards to manage ports other than major ports more effectively. It also provides for the creation of the Maritime State Development Council to foster structured growth and development in the port sector.
The Bill includes provisions for the management of pollution, disaster response, emergencies, security, safety, navigation, and data at ports, thereby aiming to enhance regulatory oversight and operational efficiency. (UNI)
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