Natchiappan for consensus on Women Reservation Bill

Bhubaneswar, Sep 12 (UNI) Parliament Standing Committee on Public Grievance, Law and Justice Chairman E M Sudarsana Natchiappan today said the committee was trying its best to achieve a consensus over the Women Reservation Bill.

Talking to newsmen here, Mr.Natchiappan said the bill enjoyed the support of all political parties barring Samajawadi party, RJD, Janata Dal(U) and PMK who were demanding reservation for OBC and minorities in the bill.

He said the committee if possible would try to accommodate their views and get it passed in the coming session of Parliament.

The committee would hold discussion with all national and regional political parties on the issue for a consensus to help Parliament amend the Constitution with a two third majority for the purpose.

Then the bill would be sent to state legislatures for ratification by 50 per cent of the Vidhan Sabhas with a simple majority to make it an Act.

Mr Natchiappan said so far nine states including Orissa have given in writing to support the bill in its present form.

Only Manipur expressed its opposition to the bill saying it did not want any reservation for women.

He said if passed the reservation would be in force for 15 years.

adding that in every elections one third of the total seats would be reserved for women and it would be in rotation so that the entire nation would be covered.

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