The Narendra Modi government may not introduce in Parliament the Women’s Reservation Bill, which seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for 15 years, in the immediate future.
Law Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda informed Lok Sabha that it has been the endeavour of the government to provide for reservation of one-third seats for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
“The issue involved needs careful consideration on the basis of consensus among all political parties before a bill for amendment in Constitution is brought before Parliament,” Mr. Gowda said in a written reply.
He was asked whether government proposes to reintroduce the bill which had lapsed following the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha.
As per law, any bill pending in Lok Sabha lapses with the dissolution of the House. Bills introduced in Rajya Sabha and pending there are put on the ‘live register’ and remain pending.
The 18-year-journey of the Women’s Reservation Bill was marked by high drama and roadblocks in each outing in Parliament before the historic measure cleared the first legislative hurdle in March 2010, when Rajya Sabha passed it during a sitting which saw marshals being used.
