Click to play videoNew Delhi: Nine years after it was first talked about and conceived, the Parliament is scheduled to take up the Women's Reservation Bill. The Bill provides one-third reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabhas for women.
The UPA Government had committed in its National Common Minimum Programme that the Government would pass the Bill.
Two-and-a-half years later, it has decided to table the Bill in the later stages of this ongoing winter session.
This is not the first time that the Centre has failed to initiate a serious discussion on the Bill. Earlier, the NDA has put women’s empowerment on the national agenda.
There is a rider though - soon after it is tabled, the Bill will be referred to the Standing Committee of Parliament as it is a Constitution amendment bill.
It is only after various suggestions and discussions that the final version of the Bill will be prepared.
A meeting of the UPA Coordination Committee is scheduled on Friday evening apparently as a last ditch effort to bring about unanimity at a time when the RJD, second largest partner of the ruling alliance, is opposed to the Bill in its original form.
While the Left parties, key outside supporters of the Government, have been pressing for the introduction of the Bill in this session, the RJD, a key partner in the UPA as also Samajwadi Party, supporting it from outside, are opposed to it in the original form.
Union Minister and LJP leader Ram Vilas Pawan says, "I am totally for the 33 per cent reservation for women." Members of the UPA like the Rashtriya Janata Dal and DMK oppose the Bill.
Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, whose party RJD has been one of the main opposers to the Bill, says, "Whatever objections we have, we will make it clear later. We are fine with presenting the Bill."
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh, who party Samajwadi Party, is also opposed to the original form of the Bill, says, "We want amendments in the upcoming bill."
The Left Front has however, welcomed the decision. "It is a positive development that the Women's Reservation Bill is being introduced in Parliament," says CPI(M) Leader Sitaram Yechury.
The Coordination Committee meeting at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's residence is also to take stock of the bills coming up before Parliament, to decide upon floor strategy and discuss issues that are likely to dominate the month-long session.
The Government on Thursday announced that as many as 17 bills would be introduced and 16 others would be taken up for consideration and passing. There was, however, no mention of the Women's Reservation Bill as also the Bill to grant OBC reservation in aided institutions.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters that the Women's legislation has not been listed among the bills to be introduced as further consultations were needed at the Home Ministry and Law Ministry level as well as with political parties.
Attempts in the previous Lok Sabha to introduce the bill had resulted in unruly scenes with opponents of the measure storming the well of the House and even tearing the bill by snatching it from the then Law Minister.
(With PTI inputs)
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