Women's Reservation Bill: All party meet today

New Delhi, Wed 22: The Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar has convened an all-party meet on Wednesday, Jun 22 to discuss over the controversial Women's Reservation Bill. This all party meeting is an effort to ensure early passage of the Bill.

The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on Mar 9, 2010 granting 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. It was first drafted by the H D Deve Gowda United Front government and brought to Parliament in September 1996.

The bill was staunchly opposed by the male leaders, other politicians from the socially and economically backward classes. They feared that women from elite background would gain seats that might lead to discrimination. Hence, the SP, RJD and JD(U) had demanded a quota within quota for women of backward classes.

According to Bansal, "the CCPA has decided to recommend to the President for summoning the session of two houses of Parliament on August 1 and given the contingencies and exigencies of the work, it is likely to go up to September 8."

The minister also added that the government's seriousness on the issue "showed when it got it into Rajya Sabha and also took a little unpleasant dose to see that it is passed." The Women's Reservation Bill that has been a political raw nerve pending since past 14 years hopes to get passed this monsoon session.

OneIndia News