The Women's Reservation Bill that seeks to provide 33 per cent quota for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies was introduced in the Lok Sabha in the ongoing special session of Parliament. Calling September 19 a "historic day", Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the Opposition to unanimously pass the Bill - 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' - that has been hanging for nearly three decades.
"On this historic occasion in the new Parliament building, as the first proceeding of the House, the beginning of all the Parliamentarians opening gateways for women power is being done with this crucial decision," Prime Minister Modi said in Lok Sabha.
PM Modi announced that his government is "bringing an important constitutional amendment bill", taking forward "our resolve of women-led development." "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' will further empower our democracy," said PM Modi. "There have been many debates in the past regarding women's reservation... and I appeal to lawmakers to support the bill," the Prime Minister said.
"We want more and more women to join the development process of the country," he added, before Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal presented the bill to lawmakers. Women account for almost half of the country's 950 million registered voters but make for only 15% of parliament and about 10% of state legislatures.
The bill, once approved, will see the number of women MPs in Lok Sabha go up to 181 from the current 82, Meghwal said.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury credited his party for the women's quota bill. However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah countered the claim by stating that the bill had already lapsed.