Speaker dreams of getting WRB passed

New Delhi, Mar 9: Lamenting inadequate representation of women in Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee today said it was his dream to see the Women's Reservation Bill passed during his tenure.

Felicitating ten outstanding Women Achievers here to mark the conclusion of the week-long celebrations to mark the International Women's Day, Mr Chatterjee said the 8.5 per cent representation of women was totally ''unsatisfactory'' in view of the fact that women constitute 49 per cent of the country's population.

''Had there been more women in the Lok Sabha, the situation would have been different. I would not have lost my voice,'' the Speaker said, probably referring to the constant shouting required of him to control the unruly male members in Parliament.

Asked about the hurdle in passing the bill which had widespread support of the Congress, BJP and Left parties, Mr Chatterjee said, ''Had it been in my hand, the Bill(Women's Reservation) would have been presented in the Lok Sabha on Monday.'' Referring to the difference in the perspective of men and women MPs, Mr Chatterjee said very often women MPs come and apologise to him in the chamber for shouting slogans in the house, saying they did so under party whip.

''Women MPs are being whipped to shout slogans (in Parliament),'' he joked and said the next Outstanding Parliamentarian Award would go to woman. However, he refused to divulge the name.

Pointing out the importance of women in the growth and development of family, society and the country, Mr Chatterjee said that the three-dimension policy for their socio-economic empowerment and legal safeguarding was being undertaken by the Government.

However, in view of the widespread illiteracy, malnutrition and violence being faced by women, it was the responsibility of not only the government but also of every citizen to make each woman 'Ananya' (the incomparable), he said.

Mr Chatterjee exhorted Ms Veena Devi, the poor widowed sarpanch from the backward Nawada district of Bihar, to move forward and come to the Lok Sabha.

''Bihar is not far away from Delhi. Start your journey. We need more women like you in the Lok Sabha,'' he said.

UNI