Parliament Passes Few Bills Despite Ruckus Over Bihar's Voter Roll Revision

Union Parliamentary Affairs minister Mr Kiren Rijiju said the Opposition is only attacking the ECI to tarnish its image. “Every time when it doesn’t suit them they attack ECI. The matter is subjudiced in the Supreme Court and beyond the control of Government of India, hence, cannot be discussed in Parliament as neither the institution nor the government can defend them. ECI is a Constitutional authority. Let them complete the SIR exercise first,” said the minister and urged the Opposition to let the Parliament function.

Amid vociferous protest by the Opposition parties, both houses managed to pass a couple of Bills. Lok Sabha passed two Bills -- Manipur Appropriation Bill and The Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025 amidst din. The Rajya Sabha approved the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 through voice vote amid protests over the SIR issue. Soon after the passing of the Bills by voice vote, both Houses proceedings were adjourned for the day.

The Manipur Appropriation 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 Manipur GST Bill is to implement the decisions approved by the GST Council and seeks to replace the Manipur GST Ordinance, 2025.

Moving the GST Bill for discussion and passing, Finance Minister Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman said the amendment is a Constitutional necessity, which has to be taken up now. "If it doesn't pass now, the state will have difficulty in implementing the amendments which has long been approved by the Council. Their revenue will get affected because they won't have the authority to charge (tax) on certain items," Mrs Sitharaman said.

With Opposition on its toes, Finance Minister slammed them saying while they talk of Manipur, they do not want money to go to the state, which is under President's rule. “Those crying hoarse for Manipur, are opposing when it comes to giving money to the state,” said the FM. The Bills were passed without any discussion as Opposition members did not relent.

In Rajya Sabha, Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways minister Mr Sarbananda Sonowal said the Coastal Shipping Bill would reduce the compliance burden for Indian ships in line with the concept of "ease of doing business", and ensure supply chain security for the country. The Bill was approved by the Lok Sabha on April 3, 2025.

This legislation aims to consolidate and amend the law relating to regulation of coastal shipping, promote coasting trade and encourage domestic participation therein, to ensure that India is equipped with a coastal fleet, owned and operated by the citizens of India for its national security and commercial needs.

Under the Bill, coastal waters mean territorial waters of India, along with adjoining maritime zones. Territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles (about 22 km) from the coast, while adjoining maritime zones extend up to 200 nautical miles (about 370 km).