'Expect 33 pc quota women's bill in next session'

New Delhi, Aug 10: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the Bill on 33 per cent reservation for women in the Union and state legislatures was expected to be brought in the winter session of Parliament.

He told a delegation of women organisations, led by the National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Girija Vyas, that his government was in constant consultation with all the parties, striving for an early consensus on the issue.

''He sounded quite positive and was hopeful of the Bill coming in the next session of Parliament,'' Ms Vyas told UNI after her meeting with Mr Singh in his chamber in Parliament.

Ms Vyas said they submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister reminding him of the UPA government's commitment to 33 per cent reservation for women as made in the Common Minimum Programme.

She said the NCW was also having dialogue with other women organisations to arrive at legislation, which was very vital for the empowerment of women.

Other organisations that were represented in the delegation were AIDWA, Women's Power Connect and NFIW, FICCI and others.

UNI