New Delhi: The Winter Session of Parliament 2023 is scheduled to begin on December 4 and conclude on December 22, with 15 sittings spread over 19 days.
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Prahlad Joshi announced wrote on X. “Winter-Session 2023 of Parliament will commence from 4th December and continue till 22nd December having 15 sittings spread over 19 days. Amid Amrit Kall looking forward to discussions on Legislative Business and other items during the session”.
The session is expected to be a busy one, with the government planning to introduce a number of important bills, including:
- The Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) (Amendment) Bill, 2023
- The Indian Penal Code (IPC) (Amendment) Bill, 2023
- The Evidence Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023
- The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (to provide for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies)
- The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023
In addition to these bills, the government is also expected to discuss a number of important issues, including:
- The economic situation
- The Ukraine crisis
- The border situation with China
- The internal security situation
The Winter Session is likely to be a politically charged one, as the opposition parties are expected to raise a number of issues, including the price rise, unemployment, and the Pegasus snooping scandal.
The following is a more detailed overview of some of the key bills and issues that are expected to be discussed during the Winter Session of Parliament 2023:
Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) (Amendment) Bill, 2023
The CrPC (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to make a number of changes to the Criminal Procedure Code, including:
- Reforming the bail system
- Streamlining the investigation process
- Protecting the rights of victims and witnesses
- Reducing the pendency of cases in courts
The bill has been welcomed by legal experts and activists, but it has also raised concerns about the possibility of misuse.
Indian Penal Code (IPC) (Amendment) Bill, 2023
The IPC (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to make a number of changes to the Indian Penal Code, including:
- Decriminalizing certain minor offenses
- Increasing the punishment for certain serious offenses
- Introducing new offenses, such as stalking and cyberbullying
The bill has been welcomed by some, but it has also raised concerns about the possibility of criminalizing dissent.
Evidence Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023
The Evidence Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to make a number of changes to the Evidence Act, including:
- Making it easier to admit electronic evidence in courts
- Protecting the privacy of victims and witnesses
- Strengthening the rules of evidence to ensure that justice is served
The bill has been welcomed by legal experts and activists, but it has also raised concerns about the possibility of misuse.
Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (to provide for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies)
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to amend the Constitution of India to provide for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The bill has been welcomed by women’s rights activists and political parties, but it has also faced opposition from some groups.
Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023
The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 is a comprehensive bill that seeks to regulate the collection, storage, use, and disclosure of personal data. The bill has been welcomed by privacy advocates, but it has also raised concerns about the possibility of stifling innovation and economic growth.
The Winter Session of Parliament 2023 is likely to be a crucial one, as the government and the opposition parties will be vying to score political points. The outcome of the session will have a significant impact on the future of India.