Source India Today
New Delhi, December 4, 2025 — The Winter Session of Parliament wrapped up its fourth day with both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha being adjourned for the day after witnessing legislative action and continued protests by the Opposition on a range of issues.
Key Legislation Cleared
The day’s main highlight was the successful passage of the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was cleared by the Rajya Sabha through a voice vote and returned to the Lok Sabha, completing its parliamentary approval.
The Bill seeks to revise excise duties on tobacco and related products to maintain tax incidence after the Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation cess expires.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified that the enhanced duties are an excise duty, not a cess, and the revenue collected would go into the divisible pool to be shared with the states as per the Finance Commission’s recommendations.
Opposition parties, however, opposed the bill, with Congress leader Pramod Tiwari alleging the government was continuously burdening citizens and raising concerns about the impact on tobacco farmers and beedi workers.
New Cess Bill Introduced
In the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Sitharaman moved The Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025, for consideration.
The proposed legislation aims to augment resources for meeting expenditure on national security and public health by levying a special tax (cess) on certain manufacturing processes and machines used for specified goods.
Opposition Protests Focus on Air Quality and Economic Issues
The proceedings in both Houses were punctuated by protests and discussions on various pressing national concerns.
Air Pollution: Opposition MPs, including those from Congress and BJD, raised the issue of severe air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region and North India, demanding urgent action and calling it a national public health emergency. Some MPs staged a protest outside Parliament, wearing gas masks to symbolise the crisis.
Economic Concerns: Discussions were also held regarding the rupee’s plunge against the US dollar, with Congress leaders criticising the government’s economic policies and highlighting the resultant economic pain for the common public.
MNREGA and Dues: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs protested over issues related to unpaid central dues and MNREGA funds.
Despite the disruptions and adjournments earlier in the day, both Houses managed to complete the Question Hour and some legislative business before being adjourned till December 5, 2025, at 11:00 AM.
