LAGATAR24 DESK
New Delhi, Sept 20: Sonia Gandhi, who opened the debate on the women’s reservation Bill for the Congress party, Wednesday stated, “I stand to support the Bill’. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal kicked off the discussion on 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2023, which seeks to bring in 33% reservation for women in the lower House and all state Legislative Assemblies. He stated that the Bill was an important step in women’s empowerment and “shows the way to the world”, reports The Indian Express.
But is the Bill in for a smooth passage? The Opposition has found a common ground to attack the government, stating that the Bill is a “huge betrayal” for women as the implementation date had been kept vague. It also criticised the government for not providing quota for backward classes. This marks a turnaround from the Congress on its earlier position in 2010 when it failed to push the Bill through in the Lok Sabha — it was approved by the Rajya Sabha— because of stiff opposition from the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the RJD over their demand for quota within quota for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and minorities.
And what will the Rajya Sabha be up to? Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is set to table The Repealing and Amending Bill, which seeks to repeal certain enactments and to amend an enactment, as passed by Lok Sabha. Ashwini Vaishnaw is expected to move a Bill to consolidate and amend the law relating to Post Office in India.
