As the 2025 Winter Session of Parliament enters its fourth day, Congress MPs on Thursday moved adjournment motion notices in the Lok Sabha seeking an urgent debate on the worsening air pollution in Delhi-NCR and across North India. In his notice, Congress MP Manickam Tagore accused the Centre of being “paralysed”, saying it was issuing “advisories instead of action” and “slogans instead of a coordinated national strategy”, while the party demanded that air pollution be declared a national health emergency.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha also discussed the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025. Moving the Bill in the lower House, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the proposed Health and National Security Cess will not be levied on essential commodities but would be imposed on the production capacity of pan masala units, which is a demerit good. She added that the proceeds from the cess will be shared with states under specific health schemes.
However, the Opposition questioned how the imposition of cess would prevent the consumption of pan masala while warning that the move would revive "inspector raj."
The Winter session of Parliament has seen heightened protests from the Opposition INDIA bloc, including constant disruptions demanding a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Opposition on Wednesday also demonstrated outside Parliament against the implementation of the four new Labour Codes. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of pursuing a “pro-capitalist and anti-worker mindset”.
On the legislative front, the Lok Sabha cleared a Bill to raise excise duty on tobacco products post-GST compensation cess, while the Rajya Sabha passed the Water Bill through a voice vote.
DMK MP Sumathi on Thursday accused the Centre of relying excessively on cesses to raise revenue.
This is "cessification of governance, not justification of governance", she said while participating in a debate on the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025.
Criticising the bill, Sumathi pointed out that the Union finance minister herself noted how sharply cess revenues have risen.
"Ambedkar had warned that good intentions are of no value if the instruments are flawed. This bill is precisely that -- good intentions trapped in a flawed instrument," she said and claimed that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) would be "hit the hardest" by it.
"This is cessification of governance, not justification of governance," the DMK MP said.
Opening the debate in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Varun Chaudhary warned the proposed legislation would revive "inspector raj" and argued that a capacity-based cess would increase bureaucratic interference.
"What will happen to small factories?" he wondered and urged the government to send the bill to a select committee to fix its "many shortcomings."
Out of the total 6,833 treatment requests raised by road accident victims under the Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme so far, only 5,480 victims have been found eligible, and the remaining 1,353 cases (nearly 20 per cent) have been rejected by the police, Parliament was informed on Thursday.
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, in a written reply to Lok Sabha, said the total fund disbursed under the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund is Rs 73,88,848.
"Out of the total number of 6,833 treatment requests raised, 5,480 victims have been found eligible. The remaining cases have been rejected by the Police," Gadkari said.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said the current system of toll collection will come to an end within a year, replaced by an electronic system that will ensure a seamless experience for motorists on highways.
The new system has been rolled out in 10 places and will be extended across the country within a year, the Union minister of road transport and highways said in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour.
"This toll system will end. There will be no one to stop you in the name of toll. Within a year, an electronic toll collection will be implemented across the country," he said.
Gadkari also informed the House that currently, 4,500 highway projects worth Rs 10 lakh crore are ongoing across the country.
BJP MP Arun Govil on Thursday demanded that CCTV cameras are installed at mosques and madrassas to "improve security at such public places."
Speaking during the Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, Govil said the demand was not against any religion and was simply to ensure the 'security of the nation and protect human life.'
The Meerut MP said this would be 'in line with' CCTVs installed at temples, churches, schools and colleges.
It is important to ensure the safety of people visiting madrassas and mosques, he said.
CCTV cameras are installed even at Mecca, the birthplace of Islam, Govil said.
He demanded that the government frame a uniform national security policy in this regard.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said the proposed Health and National Security Cess will not be levied on essential commodities, and the proceeds will be shared with states under specific health schemes.
Moving the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025, for discussion in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said the levy would be imposed on the production capacity of pan masala units, which is a demerit good.
"By levying the cess, we expect that it would act as a deterrent for pan masala consumption. Part of the revenue from this cess will be shared with states through health awareness or other health-related schemes/activities," Sitharaman said.
The minister said pan masala will continue to attract the maximum 40 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST).
On top of that, this Health and National Security Cess will be levied on the production capacity of pan masala manufacturers.
As many as 3,258 indian nationals have been deported by the US in 2025, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
"Since January 2025, a total of 3,258 Indian nationals have been deported by the United States to India. Of these, 2,032 individuals (approximately 62.3 per cent) were deported on regular commercial flights, while the remaining 1,226 (37.6 per cent) arrived on US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operated charter flights," the minister told the upper House.
In a written reply, the minister also said state governments and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have also investigated cases of human trafficking, in which Punjab has the maximum number of cases.
"Since 2009, a total of 18,822 Indian nationals have been deported to India," the minister said.
He said 617 Indians had been deported in 2023, and as many as 1,368 were deported in 2024.
Amid air pollution in Delhi, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said the central government is giving priority to alternative fuels, and he has started using Toyota's 'Mirai' hydrogen fuel-cell car.
"The futuristic fuel is hydrogen..I have also got a car, which is hydrogen, and the car is from Toyota... It gives the same comfort as Mercedes. The name of the car is Mirai, which is a Japanese word meaning future," Gadkari said during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha.
The Union minister said the import of fossil fuel is costing India Rs 22 lakh crore, and it is also creating a lot of pollution.
"Because of pollution, you are all facing the crucial problem; I am also facing the problem in Delhi," he said, as he expressed confidence that as India moves to alternative fuel, the country will become a net exporter of energy.
The question in Parliament concerned sanctioned and vacant judicial posts in High Courts and subordinate courts. Meghwal said the retirement age remains 60 years for district/subordinate court judges, 62 years for High Court judges, and 65 years for Supreme Court judges. Currently, there is no proposal to increase the retirement age. He informed that 25,886 judges are employed in tribunals across states and there are 4855 vacancie
The Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned on Thursday till 2 pm.
The Opposition MPs on Thursday held a protest in front of Makar Dwar on Parliament premises, against the Centre over air pollution in Delhi-NCR and parts of North India.
The MPs were seen wearing an oxygen mask and holding a banner to take a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which read "Mausam ka maza lijiye" (enjoy the weather). The remark on the banner followed PM Modi's address at the start of the Winter Session of Parliament, in which he said so.
Raising the slogans, the leaders demanded a Parliament discussion on air pollution.
Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Congress Parliamentary Party President Sonia Gandhi also joined the protest outside the Parliament building.
Congress MP Manish Tewari on Thursday said he has submitted a notice for suspension of business in the Lok Sabha, seeking a discussion on the worsening air pollution in Delhi-NCR and other parts of North India.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Tewari said, “I have submitted a notice for suspension of business today demanding a discussion on Delhi’s air pollution. People are facing great trouble. Children are having difficulty breathing. This is a huge health crisis.”
He also commented on the falling rupee against the US dollar, saying, “It is very ironic that when the rupee was less than 60, they would talk about the age of Dr Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi, but now the rupee has reached 90, whose age is it competing with?”
The Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress President, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Thursday criticised the Centre's economic policies as the Rupee plunged to an all-time low against USD, crossing the Rs 90 mark and said that Indian currency has no value in the world under the current government.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Kharge said that government policies have weakened the Rupee, and that the Indian currency has "no value" in the world.
"Rupee is weakening due to their policies. Had their policy been good, the Rupee's value would have gone up. This shows that our economic condition is not good. We can say whatever we want and appreciate ourselves, but this shows that our currency has no value in the world," Kharge told reporters.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that the government prevents visiting foreign dignitaries from meeting the Leader of the Opposition, citing its “insecurity.”
Speaking ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to India, Gandhi said it has traditionally been a norm for foreign leaders to meet the LoP, as followed during the tenures of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh.
“Normally, those who come from abroad meet the LoP. But nowadays, when foreign dignitaries visit, the government suggests they do not meet us,” Gandhi said, adding that the same happens when he travels abroad.
Highlighting the importance of such meetings, he said the LoP provides an alternate perspective and represents India alongside the government. “The government does not want opposition leaders to meet foreign leaders. This is a tradition and a norm, but Modi ji and the foreign ministry do not follow it,” he said.
Asked why this occurs, Gandhi pointed to “insecurity” within the government.
Putin is scheduled to arrive in India on Thursday evening for a summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on boosting defence ties, safeguarding India-Russia trade, and exploring cooperation on small modular reactors, a meeting closely watched by Western capitals.
Speaker Om Birla rejected the notices submitted by several members, prompting loud protests from the Opposition benches. Despite the uproar, the Speaker moved ahead with the listed business and took up papers to be laid on the table as Question Hour came to an end.
Congress MP Selja Kumari on Thursday raised concerns in the Lok Sabha over the lack of drinking water facilities in several Haryana villages. When she attempted to draw a parallel with a similar issue in Uttarakhand, the Speaker intervened, directing her to restrict herself to her listed question. Opposition members protested as the Speaker cut her short and moved to the Minister’s response.
Replying to the question, Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil said that 15 crore households across the country have been provided drinking water connections so far.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday told the Lok Sabha that land acquisition remains the biggest hurdle in expanding national highways in Kerala, where costs have touched nearly Rs 50 crore per kilometre. Responding to CPI(M) MP K. Radhakrishnan’s questions on delays and the status of the Kozhikode–Wayanad tunnel project, Gadkari said the tunnel is an important project but is being developed by the Kerala government.
He added that the Centre has formed special committees to resolve issues around the tunnel proposal and expects a solution soon. Gadkari noted that while the Kerala Chief Minister had agreed to share 50% of land acquisition costs, the State is struggling to meet that commitment due to budget constraints. ‘There is simply no land available for acquisition in Kerala,’ he said, stressing that this continues to slow down NH works in the State.
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, speaking on Delhi’s worsening air pollution, said it is the government’s responsibility to act. “Children are dying, and elderly people like me are severely impacted… they can’t breathe,” she said, adding that she has written an article outlining what she believes should be done.
Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha proceedings begin.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to move the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha today. The Bill aims to boost resources for national security and public health. It proposes levying a cess on machines installed and other processes involved in the manufacturing or production of specified goods.
Congress MPs Manickam Tagore, Manish Tewari and Vijay Vasanth on Thursday moved Adjournment Motion notices in the Lok Sabha seeking a discussion on rising air pollution in Delhi-NCR and across North India. As the Winter Session enters its fourth day, the MPs urged the Centre to declare pollution a national health emergency.
Tagore, in his notice to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General, said the “government remains paralysed, issuing advisories instead of action, committees instead of solutions, slogans instead of a coordinated national strategy.” He demanded a national clean air mission backed by law, strict liability for polluters and emergency health protocols.
Vijay Vasanth accused the government of a “monumental failure to even measure the crisis,” claiming that without real-time data, CAQM and CPCB were unable to implement GRAP measures effectively. He reiterated the demand for a national public health emergency and called for restoring monitoring stations, enforcing liability, and launching a time-bound clean-air mission.