No Women Reseveration Bill in current session

New Delhi, Apr 30: Despite the UPA government's ''commitment'', the Women's Reservation Bill will not see the light of the day during the current session even as Parliament is likely to pass the Communal Violence Bill and discuss Indo-Pak relations with special reference to Jammu and Kashmir.

''It (Women's Reservation Bill) is still on our agenda. The UPA government is committed, pledged and determined to get it passed not just present it. So, it may be taking a little more time,'' asserted Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi today when asked why the controversial bill was not mentioned in the list of business for the remaining Budget Session till May 22.

Giving details of the legislative business for the session, Mr Dasmunsi lauded the Opposition for cooperating with the government in passing the Finance Bill the process of which would be completed by May 5.

Stating that a lot of important legislative business was to be done, he said that 15 legislation would be taken up for consideration and passing while not less than 21 new legislations would be introduced. The most significant of them was the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, the Securities Contract (Regulation) Amendment Bill and the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2006 and the Armed Forces Tribunal Bill.

Mr Dasmunsi said Leader of Opposition L K Advani has requested for a debate on the Indo-Pak relations specially in view of the Kashmir issue and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has no objection responding to the debate.

So, after proper notice and with the approval of the Chair, the debate on the issue could be held, he said.

Asked about the Presidential election, Mr Dasmunsi said the decision would be taken at political level and whatever be decided as Chief Election Agent he would present it before Parliament.

Mr Dasmunsi, who also holds the Information and Broadcasting portfolio, said the Ministry would show eight films in different languages to MPs in the Balayogi Auditorium to highlight the National Film Development Corporation's contribution in propagating Indian cinema. The films include 'Gandhi', 'Agantuk', 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaroon', 'Mangamma', 'Dance of the Wind', 'Antarjali Yatra', 'Marupakkam' and 'Shree 420'.

UNI