New Delhi: Indian Parliament has marked a productive phase in its current session by addressing two distinct yet vital areas of national concern. A dedicated committee has shed light on the safety struggles of women in informal employment, while another panel has offered precise suggestions to improve the country’s insolvency resolution system. These initiatives demonstrate a committed effort to foster safer workplaces for millions of women and a more efficient mechanism for handling corporate financial distress.
Together, they reinforce the legislative focus on combining social safeguards with structural economic improvements.
Parliament Advances Key Reforms
In-Depth Report on Safeguarding Women Workers in Informal Employment
The Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women has issued a significant report named Safety and Protection of Women in Unorganised Sector. This carefully prepared study explores the ongoing obstacles that affect women who earn their livelihood through jobs outside the formal regulated economy.
The document particularly notes that women serving as building and construction workers, beedi workers, domestic workers, gig workers, and those in equivalent positions encounter problems tied directly to their security and well-being. Operating without the structure of organised employment, these individuals often lack consistent oversight, leaving them open to various threats in their daily routines.
The unorganised nature of these roles means fewer built-in protections, making it harder for workers to access timely support or enforce rights. The committee’s work brings these realities into sharp focus, identifying specific occupations where interventions could make the most difference.
For example, those involved in building sites deal with demanding environments that may not always prioritise worker welfare. Individuals rolling beedis typically do so in small or residential setups with limited health monitoring. Household helpers perform duties in secluded spaces where external checks are rare. Platform-based gig participants navigate flexible but unpredictable schedules without standard employer responsibilities.
Through this targeted examination, the report builds a compelling case for renewed policy attention. It aims to guide future measures that could involve better application of current rules, creation of specialised support systems, and increased efforts to raise awareness among affected communities.
By placing these issues on the parliamentary agenda, the committee contributes to broader conversations about empowering women economically while ensuring their fundamental safety remains a priority.
Targeted Suggestions for Strengthening the Insolvency Framework
Turning to financial legislation, the Lok Sabha’s Select Committee has delivered its findings on the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Chairperson Baijayant Panda formally submitted the report to the House on December 18, 2025.
After the bill’s initial presentation in August 2025, it was assigned to the committee for expert review. The resulting recommendations focus on practical enhancements to make the insolvency process quicker and clearer for everyone involved.
A core idea put forward is setting a firm three-month period within which the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) must finalise decisions on insolvency-related appeals. Bringing this into effect would mean updating the particular provision in the main Code that deals with appeal timelines, helping to avoid lengthy hold-ups that can stall progress.
The panel also emphasises the importance of precise language in the law. It proposes adjusting the meaning of ‘service provider’ to formally bring ‘registered valuer’ into the group of entities recognised by the IBC. At the same time, it calls for including a standalone explanation of what constitutes a ‘registered valuer’.
For smooth integration, the suggestions extend to placing mentions of ‘registered valuer’ in all suitable spots where ‘service provider’ is referenced in the pending amendment. This covers every linked clause that could be affected, promoting a unified and logical structure.
In relation to the corporate insolvency resolution process itself, known as CIRP, the committee recommends broadening the scope of resolution plans. The change would enable the evaluation of multiple plans for one corporate debtor going through the process. Opening up this option might attract diverse proposals, increasing chances of finding the strongest path forward for revival or orderly closure.
Overall, these ideas seek to sharpen the tools already available under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, making it even more effective in managing stressed assets and supporting credible business practices.
The Larger Picture of Balanced Legislative Progress
Presenting these reports close together shows how Parliament is handling interconnected aspects of national development. One side tackles the human element of labour, especially for women whose efforts sustain large parts of the economy yet often go unprotected. The other refines a critical economic tool that helps maintain trust in the financial system.
This dual approach highlights a strategy that views social protection and economic robustness as mutually supportive. Moving ahead, the details in both documents will likely inform debates, inter-ministerial coordination, and eventual law-making.
Various groups—including those advocating for workers’ rights, business forums, and judicial experts—are poised to review the contents thoroughly. Their perspectives could help transform the recommendations into actionable steps that deliver real improvements.
At a time when India continues to pursue inclusive and steady advancement, such detailed committee contributions play an essential role in shaping policies that touch everyday lives and long-term prosperity.
1. What is the main focus of the Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women’s report?
The report, titled Safety and Protection of Women in Unorganised Sector, examines the safety and protection challenges faced by women working in informal roles. It specifically highlights issues affecting building and construction workers, beedi workers, domestic workers, gig workers, and others in similar unorganised occupations.
2. When and by whom was the report on the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025 submitted?
The report was submitted by Baijayant Panda, Chairperson of the Lok Sabha Select Committee, to the Lok Sabha on December 18, 2025. The bill itself was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2025 and then referred to the committee for detailed review.
3. What major timeline change does the Select Committee recommend for the IBC?
The committee proposes a three-month time limit for the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) to decide appeals in insolvency cases. This would involve amending the relevant section of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code to ensure faster resolution of appeals.
4. How does the report suggest handling the term ‘registered valuer’ in the IBC amendments?
It recommends modifying the definition of ‘service provider’ to include ‘registered valuer’, adding a specific definition for ‘registered valuer’, and inserting appropriate references to ‘registered valuer’ wherever ‘service provider’ is mentioned in the Amendment Bill and related provisions for consistency.
5. What proposal is made regarding resolution plans in the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP)?
The committee suggests widening the definition of a resolution plan to permit more than one resolution plan for a corporate debtor undergoing CIRP. This change aims to encourage greater competition and potentially improve outcomes for stakeholders.
