LIVE | Day 2 in Parliament: Unanimously clear women reservation bill, PM tells Rajya Sabha
Bill gets the name Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam; bill proposes 33% quota for women for 15 years
The government on Tuesday (September 19) introduced a constitutional amendment bill to reserve one-third of seats in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, reviving a bill pending for 27 years for want of consensus among parties.
Making it the first bill to be introduced in the new Parliament building, the government said it will enable greater participation of women in policy-making at the state and national levels and help achieve the goal of making India a developed country by 2047. The bill has been named Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
With several parties parties pushing for reservation of women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies, the bill is likely to see a smooth passage this time, unlike the earlier instances when several regional parties had opposed it. However, its implementation may still take some time and is unlikely to be in force for the next Lok Sabha elections in 2024 as the reservation will come into effect only after a delimitation exercise is completed.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Union Cabinet approved the bill on Monday and that the government wants more and more women to join the development process of the country. The world has recognised the women-led development process in the country and is witnessing contribution made by Indian women in different aspects of life from sports to startups, the prime minister said.
In the Rajya Sabha, Modi appealed to members to unanimously approve the women's reservation bill - Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam - when it comes to the Upper House after being passed by Lok Sabha. Speaking during the first sitting of Rajya Sabha in the new Parliament building, Modi said the bill would be taken up in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. "When the bill comes before you, I urge Rajya Sabha members to approve it unanimously," Modi said.
Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Constitutional Amendment bill, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, to reserve one-third of the seats in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women earlier in the day.
The special session commenced on Monday (September 18) amid an intense buzz on whether the government will have some surprise item up its sleeve. What followed was an impassioned speech by Prime Modi, who recalled key pieces of legislation passed in the existing Parliament House.
Live Updates
- 18 Sept 2023 11:44 AM IST
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Birla said Modi's 'vision and guidance' led to a consensus on sensitive issues in the New Delhi Declaration issued by the G20 leaders.
In his remarks soon after the House met, Birla congratulated the nation for successfully conducting the G20 summit in the country.
- 18 Sept 2023 11:32 AM IST
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- 18 Sept 2023 11:28 AM IST
Revoke suspensions: Kharge requests RS Chairman
As Dhankhar calls Leader of the House, Piyush Goyal to initiate the discussion, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge requests the Chairman to revoke the suspension of members Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chaddha in keeping with the spirit of the special session to celebrate 75 years of Parliament's journey. Chairman gives no ruling on Kharge's request. He asks Goyal to start discussion. Six hours allotted for the debate.
- 18 Sept 2023 11:21 AM IST
RS: Discussion on Parliamentary journey of 75 years underway
After commending India's G20 presidency, RS Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar introduces discussion on 'Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha - achievements, experiences, memories and learnings'
