Govt stands firm on women reservation: PM

New Delhi, Mar 21: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today ( Mar 21, 2006) asserted that his government stands ''firmly'' committed to the Bill providing for 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and State legislature be passed without any delay.

''I wish to assure the retiring members that our government remains firmly committed that the Bill on reservation of women in Parliament and the State Legislature be passed as early as possible,'' he said, paying tributes to the retiring members of the Rajya Sabha.

Expressing the hope that the members after retiring from the upper house would continue to serve the country, Dr Singh said that the Rajya Sabha is a unique institution, which is ''an epitome of change with continuity.'' The Prime Minister, recalling his own experience as the member of the house, said the quality of the debate in the last 15 years has improved considerably.

''Even as the competitive politics, at times, leads to tense moments, the members get back to their normal work and they retain respect for each other,'' he said.

Issues of social justice, poverty alleviation and plight of the poor would continue to be the basic characteristics of the vibrant debate, Dr Singh added.

UNI