Maha: 50 pc reservation for women in local bodies

Mumbai, Mar 8: On the occasion of Women's Day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan brought a smile on their faces by announcing 50 per cent reservation for the fairer sex in local self government bodies soon.

"We will introduce the Bill of giving 50 per cent reservation to women in local Government bodies in the ensuing budget session of the state legislature," Chavan said today while interacting with a group of women journalists here.

The Centre has already taken a decision to give 50 per cent quota to women and the state Government will abide by it, Chavan said.

Expressing hope about 33 per cent reservation for women in Assemblies and the Parliament, Chavan said, "we are trying our best to pass the Bill in the Lok Sabha. It has been already approved in Rajya Sabha when I was the Parliamentary Affairs Minister."

The ally of Congress in the state Government, NCP had already proposed to increase quota for women at local bodies from 33 to 50 per cent. In the party meeting held here last month, NCP chief and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar asked his ministers to meet the CM and make the demand.

Chavan who has completed four months in office said he is settled in his new job and expressed confidence that he would deliver with his current team of ministers.

"There is a huge difference between functioning of national and state politics but I am always used to work hard," he said.

PTI