UPA committed to women's empowerment: PM

New Delhi, Mar 8 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the government will try to build a broad consensus and bring in the Women's Reservation Bill as soon as possible.

''On International Women's Day, I reaffirm the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's commitment to political, social and economic empowerment of women,'' he told the Rajya Sabha.

The UPA's common minimum programme clearly states firm commitment to empowering women, said Dr Singh after several members spoke on the issue.

As soon as the House gathered for the day, Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat delayed Question Hour and allowed women members to speak.

CPI(M) member Brinda Karat said the Prime Minister must push for getting the Women's Reservation Bill passed in the current session of Parliament.

Similar views were expressed by Ms Najma Heptullah(BJP), Ms Sushma Swaraj(BJP), Ms Alka Balram(Cong), Ms Jaya Bachchan(SP), Ms Supriya Sule(NCP), Ms N P Durga(TDP) and Ms Nirmala Deshpande (nominated).

They said women should be encouraged to be a part of the government's decision-making process. Women are given reservation in panchayat's but not in assemblies and Parliament, they added.

Samajwadi Party leader Shahid Siddiqui said more women should be inducted in police force to curb the growing phenomenon of female foeticide across the country.

UNI