What’s Next for the Women’s Reservation Act? Congress Urges All-Party Meeting

Congress Calls for Urgent Meeting on Women's Reservation Act

New Delhi: Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the Congress party, has urged Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to organize an all-party meeting, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as soon as possible. The purpose of this meeting would be to outline the implementation strategy for the Women's Reservation Act.

In response to Rijiju's correspondence, Kharge highlighted that the Act, known as 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', received unanimous approval from Parliament in September 2023.

Kharge pointed out that thirty months have passed, and the government is now, as per Rijiju's own words, looking to engage with senior members of the Congress to discuss the implementation roadmap for this significant constitutional amendment.

He mentioned that he had previously discussed this issue with Rijiju and reiterated that both he and Jairam Ramesh, the chief whip of the Congress Parliamentary Party in the Rajya Sabha, believe an all-party meeting is essential for discussing the roadmap with all opposition parties.

Kharge expressed hope that such a meeting would be convened promptly, emphasizing that it aligns with the principles of parliamentary democracy.

The government aims to implement the Women's Reservation Act before the delimitation process is finalized and is expected to introduce a Bill to amend the law during the current Budget session of Parliament.

Sources within the government have indicated that they are reaching out to the opposition to facilitate a smooth passage of the Constitution Amendment Bill.

However, it has been noted that the Union Cabinet has yet to approve the proposed legislation.

There are indications that the bill will first be presented in the Rajya Sabha, potentially next week, once it receives Cabinet approval.

The Women's Reservation Act, passed in 2023, mandates a 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies through a constitutional amendment, but its implementation is contingent upon the completion of the delimitation process.

If the government proceeds with implementing the law prior to the delimitation, an additional constitutional amendment will be necessary.