Centre to make fresh bid to evolve consensus on Women's Bill

An all-party meet will be convened later this month to make another attempt at evolving a consensus on the much-awaited Women's Reservation Bill, the Centre today said. Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi said a positive outcome is expected on the passage of the Bill. Addressing a seminar held on International Women's Day today, Dasmunsi said, "Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will invite everyone (the representatives of political parties) to a meeting after March 20 to make yet another effort to arrive at a consensus". "I hope we will be able to give some good news on the Women's Reservation Bill after the meeting is held within April 15." Dasmunsi made it clear that though the government was making final efforts to arrive at a consensus on the Bill, it was not in favour of a proposal to leave the matter to the discretion of political parties. "We want to ensure that women get their rights and are not robbed of it," he said, taking a dig at BJP which has asked the government to table the Bill in the current session of Parliament and promised support. He said a two-thirds majority was needed to pass the Constituent Amendment Bill to provide for 33 per cent reservation to women in elected bodies and "this can be tried with the combined support of Congress, BJP and Left parties". UPA constituent Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Lok Janashakti Party have been insisting on providing a sub-quota, preventing a consensus on the issue in the ruling coalition, Dasmunsi said. He, however, did not say if the Bill would be tabled in the current Parliament session.

"Loved reading this piece by Prakash Yedhula?
Join LAWyersClubIndia's network for daily News Updates, Judgment Summaries, Articles, Forum Threads, Online Law Courses, and MUCH MORE!!"

Join our Telegram group

Join our Whatsapp group