In a massive development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally announced that the Centre will bring the the Women's Reservation Bill in the special parliament session on Tuesday. PM Modi in his first-ever address in the newly-constructed parliament of India stated that "The world is witnessing contributions made by Indian women in different aspects of life from sports to startups. The world has recognized the women-led development process in the country. Union Cabinet on Monday gave approval to women's reservation bill.The 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' will ensure more women become members of Parliament and assemblies." Although the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam conditions are yet to be made public, multiple reports suggest that it is the same as the Women's Representation Bill.
On Women's Quota Bill, PM Modi further said, "Discussion on Women's Reservation Bill happened for a long time. During Atal Bihari Vajpayee's regime Women's Reservation Bill was introduced several times but there was not enough majority to pass the Bill, and because of this this dream remained incomplete. Today, God has given me the opportunity to take this forward...Our government is bringing a new Bill today on Women's participation in both Houses.."
The Union Cabinet on late Monday night reportedly nodded to the women's reservation bill which advocates for a 33 percent quota for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The government of India has called a special parliament session which will last for five days. The 'short but important' Parliament session will see a plethora of bills tabling in the parliament. Also, the special session will take place in newly constructed parliament building, meaning Indian leaders will bid farewell to the iconic Sansad Bhavan. Notably, on Monday, both Houses were adjourned after a discussion on Parliamentary democracy in the last 75 years. Now, the question arises what is the women's reservation bill that will be passed in the new parliament? To know the answer continue reading-
What is the women's reservation bill?
As per reports, the bill or the Constitution (One Hundred and Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2008, one-third of the total number of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes shall be reserved for women of those groups in the Lok Sabha and the legislative assemblies. There are multiple key aspects of the Women's Reservation Bill 2023. Reports suggest that reserved seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in the state or union territory. Reservation of seats for women shall cease to exist 15 years after the commencement of this Amendment Act.
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It is pertinent to mention here that the bill was first introduced in 1996 and was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. However, it lapsed with the dissolution of the Lok Sabha and had to be reintroduced. It was introduced multiple times and faced lapses in 1998 and 1999. It is worth mentioning that in 2010, the bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha and lapsed in the Lok Sabha. Since then, it has been pending and reservations for women in Parliament are yet to be implemented.
A report suggested that the bill is likely to be enforced till 2027 when the Census and delimitation exercises are expected to be complete. It is expected to have a provision for rotating the reserved seats for women after a certain period, as is done in the panchayat polls, where the reservation is already in effect.
On the Women's Reservation Bill, Union minister & President of the Republican Party of India (Athawale), Ramdas Athawale said, "There will be a discussion (in Parliament) on this Bill tomorrow.."