Women's Reservation Bill unlikely to be introduced soon

NEW DELHI: A bill which seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for 15 years is unlikely to be introduced in Parliament in the immediate future by the Narendra Modi government.

Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda informed the Rajya Sabha today 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 the Constitution is brought before Parliament," Gowda said in a written reply.

He was asked whether government has taken steps to provide for 33 per cent reservation to women in the lower house as well as state assemblies.

A similar bill brought by the previous UPA government 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.