New Delhi: The Winter Session of Parliament, which commenced on Monday, November 25, 2024, was adjourned sine die on Friday, December 20, 2024. The session provided 20 sittings in the Lok Sabha and 19 sittings in the Rajya Sabha, spread over 26 days.
During the session, 5 Bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha, while 4 Bills were passed by the Lok Sabha and 3 Bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha. Notably, one Bill, “The Bhartiya Vayuyaan Vidheyak, 2024,” was passed by both Houses. This Bill seeks to re-enact the Aircraft Act to address ambiguities arising from amendments to the original Act, which was first enacted in 1934.
A historic milestone was commemorated on November 26, 2024, as India marked the 75th anniversary of the adoption of its Constitution. Year-long celebrations were launched under four themes: the Preamble, Know Your Constitution, Making of the Constitution, and Celebrating its Glory. On this occasion, a special function was held at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan where President of India released two books titled “Making of the Constitution of India and its Glorious Journey” and “Making of the Constitution of India: A Glimpse.” Additionally, a commemorative coin and stamp were unveiled.
As part of the year-long celebrations, a special discussion on the “Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India” was organized in the Lok Sabha on December 13 and 14, and in the Rajya Sabha on December 16 and 17, 2024. The discussions engaged the Lok Sabha for 15 hours and 43 minutes with 62 Members participating, and were replied to by the Prime Minister. In the Rajya Sabha, the discussion lasted for 17 hours and 41 minutes with 80 Members participating, and was responded to by the Home Minister.
The first batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2024-25 was discussed and fully approved in the Lok Sabha on December 17, 2024. The related Appropriation Bill was introduced, debated, and passed after a discussion lasting 7 hours and 21 minutes.
Two landmark Bills, namely (i) The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth) Amendment Bill, 2024, and (ii) The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, were introduced to implement the mechanism of simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State/Union Territory Assemblies under the vision of “One Nation, One Election.” These Bills were referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on December 20, 2024.
The productivity of the Lok Sabha was approximately 54.5%, while the productivity of the Rajya Sabha stood at approximately 40%.
