Political consensus key for bringing women's reservation Bill: Government

NEW DELHI: The Women's Reservation Bill, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies for 15 years, will be brought only after consensus among political parties, the government said today.

The government today informed Rajya Sabha that the issue needs "study and careful consideration on the basis of consensus among all political parties before a Bill for amendment of the Constitution is brought before Parliament".

Law Minister DV Sadananda Gowda said in a written reply that it has been the endeavour of the government to provide for the reservation of one-third seats for women in Lok Sabha and the state legislative Assemblies.

The 15th Lok Sabha could not pass the legislation and the Constitution (108th Amendment) Bill, which was pending in the lower House since 2010, lapsed following its dissolution.

As per the law, any Bill pending in Lok Sabha lapses with the dissolution of the House. Bills introduced in Rajya Sabha and pending there are put in the "live register" and remain pending.

The 18-year-journey of the Women's Reservation Bill has been 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.