Cong hails move to table Women Reservation Bill

New Delhi, Nov 23 (UNI) The Congress today hailed the move of the UPA coalition Government to introduce the Women Reservation Bill in Parliament in the current Winter Session of Parliament, saying the party had always stood for this legislative reform measure.

"The Congess had always spoken in favour of the Women Reervation Bill and stood by and for it", Congress Spokesman Abhishek Singhvi asserted briefing mediapersons here, adding "we are particularly happy that the process of passage of this Bill will be initiated in this very Session." Explaining the delay in introduction of the Bill, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies, Mr Singhvi said "this is a coalition Government and views of all the allies have to be taken into account." Blaming the Opposition for not bringing the Bill, the Congress Spokesman said despite protestations and assured support for the Women Reservation Bill, the NDA Government could not get passed the Bill in its five-year regime.

Asked whether the Bill will ultimately be adopted by both the houses, he said future would tell whether it would be so."It is a significant step forward that the Bill is being brought forward. Let us look at positive perspective." Asked whether Parlimaent will adopt a resolution expressing the sense of the house on Arunachal Pradesh over which China has staked its cliam, Mr Singhvi said the Congress and the Government had always stated that Arunachal Pradesh was an integral part of India.

About Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil's warning of Pakistan-based terrorists preparing to strike on India through the sea route, Mr Singhvi said what the Home Minister had said was very serious and the nation was entitled to take the warning seriously. The Home Minister must have spoken about it on the basis of intelligence reports, Mr Singhvi added.

UNI YS RP HT1905