In a bid to bring about a consensus on the controversial Women’s Reservation Bill ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar has convened an all-party meeting on Wednesday.
In a letter to political parties, Kumar has asked them to take steps for early passage of the Bill in the Lok Sabha.The 22nd June meeting is part of her efforts to ensure early passage of the Bill.
The bill granting 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies was passed by the Rajya Sabha after two days of high drama in March 2010.The Constitution (108th Amendment) Bill has been hanging fire for close to 14 years due to lack of political consensus on the issue.It was first drafted by the H D Deve Gowda United Front government and brought to Parliament in September 1996.
Women’s Reservation Bill – India
Here is a synopsis :
Ø First introduced in Lok Sabha ( Lower House ) by United Front Government in 1996
Ø Calls for 33 % reservation of seats for women from Lok Sabha to local legislatures. Panchayats ( village councils ) already have 33.3 % reservation for women
Ø Who is supporting whole-heartedly ?
Congress / BJP / AIDMK / other parties
Ø Who supports conditionally ?
Samajwadi Party / Bahujan Samaj Party / Rashtriya Janata Dal etc.
Ø What is their condition ?
Within the 33 % quota, there must be a sub-quota for women from backward classes
Ø Why this condition ?
They are afraid that in absence of a sub-quota, the bill will only help women from the elitist groups
Ø Who can bring about a compromise ?
Lok Sabha Speaker ( Ms ) Meira Kumar – herself a woman from a backward class
Ø What has been the progress so far ?
Bill has already been passed in Rajya Sabha ( Upper House ) in 2010
Ø What can we do ?
Pray that it does not meet the fate of the Lokpal Bill !
With regards
Hemen Parekh
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