Highlights include the government expanding the Joint Parliamentary Committee on unified elections to 39 members, Delhi’s air quality reaching its worst in three years, and the US imposing sanctions on an India-based firm over Iranian oil trade.
Both houses adjourned indefinitely: The Lower House was adjourned sine die on Friday as soon as it was convened. The Upper House was adjourned till 12 pm following clashes between the Congress and the BJP on the Ambedkar issue. When the Upper House reconvened at 12 p.m., Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved to notifying 12 MPs from the Upper House to be made members for the joint parliamentary committee on simultaneous elections, which was adopted by a voice vote.
The government had decided to increase the size of the JPC on unified election Bill: Law Minister Arjun Meghwal referred the two Bills proposing simultaneous elections to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The government increased the size of the JPC to 39 members, including 27 members from the Lower House and 12 from the Upper House. The move allows more parties to participate in the JPC. In addition to two additional BJP members and one additional Samajwadi party member, the government's proposed list of Lok Sabha MPs now includes one representative each from Shiv Sena (UBT), Communist Party of India (Marxist), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).
FIR against Leader of the Opposition: Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following BJP’s complaint regarding Thursday’s pushing-and-shoving incident at thy Parliament door.
Lok Sabha speaker bans protests at the Parliament gates: According to sources cited by the Times of India, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has strictly instructed that no political party can stage any kind of protest at the House's building gates following the altercation outside the Parliament.
Finance Minister to hold pre-Budget talks with states over growth policies: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will meet state finance ministers on Friday in Jaisalmer for pre-Budget consultations. Business Standard reports that states will push for financial packages and initiatives to support innovation, investment, and job creation, with particular focus on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Government proposes bill to ban unregulated lending: The Union government on Thursday proposed a new law to ban unregulated lending, imposing fines of up to ₹1 crore (approximately $120,000) and up to 10 years of imprisonment for offenders.
Government to mandate use of domestic solar cells in procurement programmes by June 2026: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set a deadline of June 2026 for solar companies to use only India-made solar photovoltaic cells in their panels to participate in government procurement programmes. This move may drive up costs as local solar cells are more expensive than imports from China, reports The Hindu.
Investors push for rule change on FDI, FPI stake restrictions: Foreign investors are urging the Reserve Bank of India to reconsider a 2019 rule that prevents foreign direct investors (FDI) from holding foreign portfolio investor (FPI) stakes in the same company. This regulation complicates their ability to participate in initial public offerings (IPOs), reports The Economic Times.
Ban on crackers in Delhi: The Delhi government told the Supreme Court on Thursday that it has issued a notification under the Environment Protection Act prohibiting the bursting, sale, storage, and manufacturing of crackers throughout the year.
Senior Hizbul Mujahideen commander killed in Kashmir operation: Farooq Ahmad Bhat, operational chief of Hizbul Mujahideen – Pakistan-affiliated Islamist militant organisation – and four other militants were killed in a security forces operation in Kulgam district, south Kashmir.
Defence report attributes Mi-17 crash to human error: NDTV reported citing a detailed report tabled in the Lok Sabha earlier this week that the Standing Committee on Defence has officially attributed the tragic Mi-17 V5 helicopter crash that claimed the life of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 others, to ‘human error’ of the aircrew.
RSS chief criticises temple disputes across India: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat criticised the ongoing trend of bringing up “Ram temple-like” disputes at various sites and termed them “unacceptable”. “India should set an example of how different faiths and ideologies can live together in harmony”, he added.
France partners with India to launch world’s largest museum in Delhi: India’s National Museum and France Muséums Développement have signed an agreement to launch the world’s largest museum, Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum, in the North and South blocks on Raisina Hill.
India-based company faces US sanctions over Iranian oil trade: On Thursday, the United States imposed sanctions on Atlantic Navigation OPC Private Limited. According to the US State Department, the India-based company is involved in the transport of Iranian petroleum.
Nestle India not bothered by suspension of MFN status: The FMCG giant Nestle India stated on Thursday that the firm will not be impacted in any way by Switzerland's decision to suspend India's MFN (Most Favoured Nation) status. Meanwhile, the Mint reported that the Indian FMCG sector will experience a 3-5% price hike due to the inflation trends driving up food prices.
Airtel clears dues for airwave auction: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has received ₹3,626 crore from Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom operator, settling all outstanding debts pertaining to airwaves purchased in an auction in 2016.
Prosecutor behind Adani case announces resignation: United States Attorney Breon Peace, appointed by President Joe Biden in 2021, will resign on January 10, leaving office before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. His led the fraud case against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani.
BJP MP gifts Priyanka Gandhi Vadra bag with '1984' print: Bharatiya Janata Party MP Aprajita Sarangi on Friday presented Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra with a bag bearing the '1984' label, referencing anti-Sikh riots following Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination. The move comes in response to Priyanka carrying bags supporting Palestine and Bangladeshi minorities last week.
ModiWatch: On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to UK’s King Charles III to discuss deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, advancing Commonwealth goals and promoting climate action and sustainability. Late Thursday, PM attended Christmas celebrations at the residence of George Kurian, Minister of State for Minority Affairs.
Delhi Today: Hazy; air quality will be very ‘unhealthy.’
Worst air in three years: Thursday was the most polluted December day in the city in three years, with the average AQI of 451 and the air quality deteriorating to "severe-plus." For the third day in a row, Delhi residents had "severe" or worse air quality. On Friday, the AQI is predicted to remain in the severe zone.