Government signals 'very important' bill soon as Rajya Sabha adjournment hints at fresh push on women’s quota

New Delhi: The government on Thursday indicated it could soon bring a key piece of legislation, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju telling the Rajya Sabha that the House would be adjourned for the day but would reconvene soon to take up a "very important" bill.

The remarks come amid indications that the Centre may move legislation to expand the Lok Sabha and operationalise reservation for women in the legislature.

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During proceedings in the Upper House, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh sought clarity on the government’s legislative plans. In response, Rijiju said the Rajya Sabha would first take up the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill and the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill for passage on Thursday, the final scheduled day of the Budget session.

He then signalled further legislative action in the coming weeks. "We have certain important issues, we have shared this with the Opposition also. We are going to have a very important bill in next 2-3 weeks," Rijiju said.

"Today, government will propose for the House to be adjourned, and we will meet very soon; purpose is known to the members," he added.

The government has been engaged in backchannel consultations with Opposition parties to build consensus around at least two proposed bills — one to implement the women’s reservation law and another to delink delimitation from the Census, potentially paving the way for an increase in Lok Sabha seats from the current 546 to 861.

Ramesh, however, said the Opposition has urged the government to convene an all-party meeting only after the ongoing assembly elections conclude on April 29.

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Rijiju maintained that the government is committed to delivering on its promise of women’s reservation. “We are bound to fulfil our promise given to the women of the country,” he said.

Rijiju, in a response, also said that the Upper House would take up the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill and the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill for passing, which was scheduled to be the last day of the Budget session of Parliament.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the Congress supports reservation for women but cautioned that the proposed measures carry significant long-term implications. He also accused the government of attempting to derive political mileage by timing the bills alongside state elections.

Rijiju rejected the charge, saying the issue should not be politicised.