New Delhi:
The women’s reservation bill sailed through the Upper House this evening, scripting history after decades of roadblocks. It now needs the signature of the President to make 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies official.
The bill received unanimous support from the Rajya Sabha. There were no abstentions and no negative votes. The bill had cleared the Lok Sabha yesterday with the support of 454 MPs. Only Two MPs voted against it.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, present in the Upper House for the voting and passing of the bill, said, “The debates were very successful. In the future as well, this debate will help us all. Thank everyone for their support to the bill. The spirit will give birth to new self-esteem among Indians”.
Here are the Highlights on Women’s Reservation Bill debate:
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Special Session of the Parliament comes to an end, both the houses adjourned ‘Sine Dine’. The MPs moved to the new Parliament building at the start of the session.
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha passed the historic Women’s Reservation Bill in the Special Session. The bill provides 33 per cent reservation to Women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.
However, the implementation of the 33 per cent quota can take place only after a census and delimitation, which pushes it back by at least six years — a matter that has provided ammunition to the Opposition.
215 Rajya Sabha MPs voted in favour of the bill, while zero opposed it.
Live: Voting begins on the Women’s Reservation bill in Rajya Sabha
The Women’s Reservation Bill, once implemented, will redraw the electoral map of India. The census and delimitation exercise that will precede the implementation of reservation, is expected to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to a whopping 753
Trinamool Congress’s Derek O Brien today gave two options to the Centre on quota for women in parliament and state assemblies. Speaking in Rajya Sabha during the debate on the women’s quota bill, he said the government should bring the bill in 2024, or give women quota in Rajya Sabha. Tucked in it was a third option — let the BJP get one-third women elected from their party.
#WATCH | On Women’s Reservation Bill, actor Tamannaah Bhatia says, “…This bill will inspire common people to join politics”. pic.twitter.com/nbjAq4Aqqd
– ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023
“Our Demand Is Caste Census”: Tejashwi Yadav On Women’s Bill
“Reservation should be ensured for backward women and minority women. We want women to benefit from this as soon as possible. Our demand is that a caste census should also be conducted. The OBC community is seeing all this and they know how to get their rights,” the RJD leader said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed his gratitude over the passing of the Women’s Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha. “Yesterday’s decision and today, when we cross the last mile after the Rajya Sabha passes the Bill, the transformation in the lives of the women of the country and the trust that will be formed, will emerge as an unimaginable and unprecedented power that will take the country to new heights. I can feel this,” PM Modi said.
“Kaal Kare So Aaj Kar…”: Mallikarjun Kharge’s Jibe At Centre
Amid heated debate in the Rajya Sabha over the Women’s quota Bill, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hit out at BJP chief JP Nadda for reiterating that the Bill will only come to force after 2026 census.”Kaal kare so aaj kar, aaj kare so ab, pal mein parleh hoyegi bahuri karega kab? We are asking you to implement it now,” Mr Kharge said.
“What If We Reserve Wayanad, Amethi”: JP Nadda’s Veiled Attack At Congress
BJP president JP Nadda hit out at the Congress over the party’s demand to enforce the Women’s Reservation Bill without the delimitation process. “What if we reserve Wayanad or Amethi? Would the Oppositions not blame us then?” he said.
BJP President JP Nadda speaks in the Rajya Sabha
Law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moves the Women’s Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha.
As per the list of Business, Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal will move the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023 which was passed in the Lok Sabha in July this year. The Bill is now pending in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill seeks to repeal 65 laws that are obsolete or that have been made redundant by other laws. It also corrects a minor drafting error in the Factoring Regulation Act, of 2011.
Women’s Quota Bill: Nirmala Sitharaman, JP Nadda To Speak In Rajya Sabha
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP President JP Nadda are among the leaders likely to speak in favour of the Women’s Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha is set to discuss the Chandrayaan-3 Mission today.