The Rajya Sabha experienced a day of disruption on Monday as the Opposition staged a walkout over the issue of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Despite the turmoil, the government successfully pushed through the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, after a brief debate.
The Opposition's protest stemmed from their demand for a discussion on the SIR issue, which the Chair rejected, citing that the matter was sub-judice and not related to the listed business. This led to noisy protests and a walkout by Opposition members. Earlier, the House had been adjourned until 2 p.m. following protests over the rejection of adjournment notices on various issues.
Leader of the House J.P. Nadda accused the Opposition of wasting over 69 hours of House time with their "irresponsible behaviour" and claimed they only believe in "anarchism and obstruction". He stated that the SIR issue is sub-judice and cannot be discussed.
With the Opposition benches empty, the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, was passed. The bill aims to replace the colonial-era Indian Ports Act of 1908 and provide for the regulation of port operations with quality effort, sustainability, and cooperative federalism. The government aims to make India a global maritime leader by 2047 with this bill.
Ports, shipping and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal described the Bill as "a milestone reform that unlocks India's maritime potential". He added that ports are engines of growth, employment, and sustainable development and that India is laying the foundation to become a global maritime leader by 2047 with the Indian Ports Bill, 2025.
The Rajya Sabha had a limited amount of listed business with the monsoon session scheduled to end on Thursday. The government has stated that they will move only two legislations this week: The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025, and the Indian Institute of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after the Lok Sabha clears it and sends it to the House.
The INDIA bloc parties are considering a motion to impeach Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Additionally, three parties - Congress, TMC, and AAP - have requested a short duration discussion on "the urgent need to strengthen the electoral process".
