On Day 14 of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Lok Sabha passed the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025 amidst noisy and sustained protests from the Opposition. The bill, crucial to aligning Manipur's state GST laws with changes in the national GST framework, was cleared without any debate, drawing strong criticism from opposition leaders and civil society observers.

The session was marred by repeated interruptions, slogan shouting, and demands for discussions on unrelated but urgent matters, particularly those related to ongoing ethnic and security tensions in Manipur. Despite the uproar, the ruling party moved forward with the legislative agenda, prompting fierce backlash from the opposition benches.

No Debate, Just Passage

In a controversial procedural move, the bill was introduced, considered, and passed in a matter of minutes, without allowing any floor time for questions, clarifications, or discussion. The Speaker of the House overruled repeated demands by Opposition MPs to halt proceedings until the Manipur issue was fully debated.

The Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025 is part of a routine update to bring the state’s GST laws in line with recent decisions by the GST Council, which included tweaks to tax slabs, exemptions, and procedural changes. However, opposition members alleged that passing such a bill without discussion sets a dangerous precedent.

Opposition Protests Intensify

As soon as the bill was listed on the agenda, MPs from several opposition parties stormed the Well of the House, shouting slogans and holding placards. They accused the government of steamrolling legislative business and ignoring the serious situation in Manipur, which has seen months of violence, social unrest, and political instability.

Leaders from the Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, and Left parties all criticized the government’s approach. Speaking outside Parliament, senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, “This government wants to bulldoze every democratic process. How can a state-specific tax amendment be passed without hearing from the elected MPs of that very state?”

Others pointed out that the bill could have been an opportunity to raise critical points regarding Manipur’s economic recovery, given the ongoing social crisis.

Government's Stand

The government, on its part, maintained that the bill was a technical amendment and did not require extended debate. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi stated, “The Opposition is not interested in discussion. They only want disruption. This is a routine GST update in line with recommendations from the GST Council.”

The BJP has also argued that the bill’s passage was essential for maintaining uniform tax compliance and revenue flow for the state government of Manipur. Officials added that delays in such legislative updates could hamper business operations and revenue collection at the state level.

Parliamentary Dysfunction a Growing Concern

This incident is just one of many during the current Monsoon Session, which has seen frequent walkouts, adjournments, and heated confrontations between the Treasury and Opposition benches. On several occasions, bills have been introduced and passed in near-empty Houses, with the opposition either boycotting or being suspended.

Observers note that Parliamentary productivity has dropped, with important bills being passed in haste and without scrutiny. The rules of procedure, while allowing such fast-track moves, are rarely meant to be used frequently, and such repeated use raises serious questions about legislative transparency.

Importance of the GST Amendment

The Manipur GST (Amendment) Bill, 2025 is part of a larger set of amendments adopted by several states following recent GST Council decisions. These include:

• Changes to tax rates on select goods and services

• Clarifications on input tax credit rules

• Provisions for penalties on late filings

• Procedural simplifications for small businesses

While the bill may not be controversial in content, its passage without deliberation, especially amid the ongoing crisis in Manipur, has turned it into a symbol of wider dissatisfaction with parliamentary functioning.

What Lies Ahead

With more than a week left in the Monsoon Session, there is growing pressure on the government to allow full debates on Manipur, particularly on issues like restoration of law and order, displacement of communities, and restoration of internet services in the state.

If the stalemate continues, the likelihood of more bills being passed without discussion remains high, something that experts warn could damage the democratic character of India’s parliamentary system.

Conclusion

The passage of the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025 without debate is another flashpoint in what has become a highly confrontational Monsoon Session of Parliament. While the bill itself may be routine, the manner in which it was cleared has deepened concerns over legislative process, democratic accountability, and transparency in lawmaking.

As public scrutiny intensifies and opposition protests grow louder, all eyes are now on how the Modi government handles both the remaining session and the brewing political storm around Manipur.

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