Women's Reservartion Bill be taken up within UPA term span: Dasmunsi

New Delhi, Mar 8 (UNI) The UPA government announced that Women's Reservation Bill will be taken up ''before the expiry of its term'' as several women members, cutting across party lines, sought passage of the Bill on the International Women's Day today.

More than dozen woman MPs, who were allowed to speak on Women's Day in the Lok Sabha as soon as it assembled, pleaded for taking up the Bill which was introduced in Parliament in 1999 and later was referred to a Select Committee.

Since then, the Bill is hanging amid allegation of ''male chauvinism and bias'' from women and civil rights organisations.

Making the announcement in the House in response to the women MPs' unanimous demand, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi reaffirmed that passing of the Bill was the part of the National Common Minimum Programme(NCMP) of the government and was determined to fulfil it. ''We will do that before the expiry of our term,'' said Mr Dasmunsi.

Beginning with Ms Sumitra Mahajan (BJP), several women MPs from the Opposition criticised the government for not taking up the Bill during the past threee years, despite its commitment in NCMP and Ms Sonia Gandhi being its chairperson.

Ms Gandhi, however, arrived in the House after the women MPs' observations were over.

From the Treasury Benches, Ms Krishna Tirath and Ms Jhansi Laxami (both Congress) also spoke in favour of taking up the bill. Other women members including Ms Ranjita Ranjan and Ms Archana Naik made passionate appeal for women empowerment by launching a campaign against girl foeticide, dowry and other social rituals which discriminate against women.

Congress MP from Jharkhand Sushila Kerketta in her maiden speech said various welfare schemes for women, including provision for their reservation in panchayats and local self government bodies, were not being properly implemented. The House should seriously think about it, she added.

BJP's Maneka Gandhi said she was certain that the Women Reservation Bill, vouchsafing 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies would not be taken up at all. ''It is better that all political parties should commit to give 33 per cent tickets to women candidates in every election,'' she added.

Earlier, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, on behalf of the House congratulated the women of the country and the world for the achievements made by them in various fields over the years. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to improve their condition, especially of those who are in vulnerable position and empower them to take their rightful place in the society.

''Women's complete empowerment will ensure their realisation of the goal of democratic and progressive society where all citizens will be treated with equal respect and authority,'' the Speaker said.

UNI