• Source:JND

Women's Reservation Bill: The Budget Session of Parliament has been extended by three days as the Centre moves to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, or Women's Reservation Law. The three-day special session is aimed at facilitating the implementation of the women's quota law ahead of the 2029 parliamentary elections.

The original amendment to the Constitution was passed in 2023, but the reservation exercise was set to take place after delimitation and the completion of the ongoing census. Thus, under these provisions, the implementation, if carried out after the 2027 census, could push its rollout as late as 2034.

During the three-day session, the government is expected to proceed with implementing the bill based on the 2011 census.

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Women's Reservation Bill

In the three-day special session, the Centre aims to pass an amendment to this law, which will allow 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies ahead of the completion of the 2027 census.

The proposed bill also seeks to expand the Lok Sabha to 816 seats, with 273 seats reserved for women. If approved, the first implementation of the quota is expected to take place in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand.

Women's Reservation Bill Faces Political Heat

The bill, which is a constitutional amendment, requires a special majority to be passed in Parliament, including a majority of the total members of the House and with a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought support from political parties for the implementation of the reservation quota. However, the Opposition, led by Congress, has raised concerns over the timing of the amendment.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has written to PM Modi, alleging that the government is rushing the process for 'political mileage' ahead of assembly elections in four states, including Assam, Kerala, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

Kharge also pointed out that while the bill was passed unanimously in 2023, it was not implemented despite consensus in Parliament.

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BJP Issues Whips Ahead Of Special Session On Women's Reservation Bill

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a whip directing all its Members of Parliament (MPs) to remain present in the House from April 16 to 18 during the special session convened to pass the Women's Reservation Bill. Accordingly, no leave will be granted to MPs during this period.


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