Parliament Weighs Historic Bills on Nuclear Energy and Rural Employment Amid Political Tension

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal calls for the review of pivotal bills on nuclear energy advancement and rural employment during a heated Lok Sabha session. Union ministers introduce transformative legislation targeting 2047 goals, while Congress protests outside against renaming MGNREGA, citing disrespect to Mahatma Gandhi.

In a notable Lok Sabha session on Wednesday, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal urged for the scrutiny of two critical bills—the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025, and the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025. Venugopal proposed that these bills should be referred to Parliamentary Standing Committees or a Joint Parliamentary Committee for an in-depth review. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju responded on behalf of the government, expressing openness to discuss the bills, contingent on the permission from the Chair.

The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025, spearheaded by Union Minister of Science and Technology and Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh, was introduced in the Lok Sabha. This ambitious legislation aims to establish a robust legal framework for the enhancement, regulation, and proliferation of nuclear energy and its applications. Its ultimate goal is to generate 100 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2047, heralded as a transformative step towards shaping India's future energy landscape.

Concurrently, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is set to present the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, during the ongoing Parliament winter session. This bill proposes a rural development strategy aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, guaranteeing 125 days of wage employment per year to willing rural households. Amid these legislative developments, Congress leaders mounted protests in Madhya Pradesh against the renaming of MGNREGA to VB-G RAM G, accusing the government of dishonoring Mahatma Gandhi and undermining employment schemes.

(With inputs from agencies.)