Rajya Sabha passes Women's Reservation Bill

New Delhi, Mar 9: In a historic moment for the government, the landmark Women's Reservation Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Mar 9.

The Bill enjoyed support of 186 members against 1 vote in the Rajya Sabha.

The Bill was put to vote in the House by Chairman Hamid Ansari despite the attempt of the suspended MPs to disrupt the proceeding.

BJP and Left, while calling the passing of the Bill as a historic moment, expressed regret over the unruly behavior in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Mar 8.

BJP leader Arun Jaitley, who led the debate announced his party's support for the Bill.

"We are going to make a history by passing this bill. I support this law but also condemn what happened in the House today. Those opposing the bill should also be given a chance to vote against this bill. Those who oppose the bill should allow the house to be run smoothly," he said while concluding his speech.

Citing support to the Bill, DMK leader Kanimozhi said that it can be amended later in the parliament if necessary.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too apologised to the House for the shameful behavior by the opposing members.

" I apologised to the Rajya Sabha for the developments. It has to be ensured that such things do not happen again. There was a near unanimity on the landmark legislation.. The heart of India is sound and in right place," the Prime Minister said.

Paying homage to all the women, Singh said that Bill is not an anti-minority Bill but the government was committed to the minorities.

"Time has come to act and act boldly," the Law Minister Veerappa Moily said, adding that there will be separate law just like the law for Reservation.

The Bill was passed 24 hours after it was tabled in the Rajya Sabha by Law Minister Veerappa Moily and 14 years after it was brought into existence.

2 MPs from the Trinamool Congress abstained from voting for the Bill, expressing anger at not being taken into confidence for the voting on the Bill.

The BSP members walked out just before the voting began.

OneIndia News