The Budget session of Parliament has been extended for another three days as the Center moves to implement the Nari Shakti Vandhan Adhiniyam (Women Empowerment Act) Amendment Bill. The three-day session aims to implement the women’s quota law before the next Lok Sabha elections in 2029.
The original amendment to the Constitution was passed in 2023, but reservation was to take place after demarcation of boundaries and completion of the ongoing census. Thus, under its current provisions, implementation, if implemented after the 2027 census, could delay its implementation until 2034.
In this three-day special session, the government plans to advance the implementation of the bill on the basis of the 2011 census.
What is the women’s reservation bill?
In this three-day session, the government aims to pass an amendment to this law, which will allow 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies before the 2027 census is completed.
Moreover, the bill proposes to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816, of which 273 seats are reserved for women.
If the bill is approved, the first elections, in which this reservation will be implemented, will be in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat and Uttarakhand.
A two-thirds majority is needed amid a backlash from the opposition
Approval of the draft law, which is a constitutional amendment, requires a special majority, including a majority of all members of the Council, and a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought support from political parties to implement the reservation quota, the Congress-led opposition questioned the motive of the ruling NDA to push the amendment at this time and in the current manner.
Read also | BJP issues whip as Modi seeks support across party lines to roll out women’s quotas
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Modi, alleging that the Center is rushing the process for a “political breakthrough” with four states going to the polls.
Kharji also pointed out that while the bill was passed unanimously in 2023, the Center decided not to implement it despite consensus in the Assembly.
BJP issues whip before Parliament session
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a whip to its MPs in Parliament. Under this, all BJP MPs will be required to be present in the Assembly from April 16 to 18 to attend the special session to pass the Women Reservation Bill.
The BJP has stated in its whip that no leave will be given to MPs. This comes after Modi called for “collective action” in an appeal to political parties.
Moreover, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla called on MPs to avoid bringing posters and banners inside the house during the special session.
We have issued a bulletin on this matter, and I have personally addressed an appeal to all members within Parliament, as well as to all political parties. “It was also discussed in the Business Advisory Committee meetings that the use of banners, placards, unparliamentary language and slogans is not befitting of democracy,” Birla was quoted as saying by PTI.
