Government to fast-track women's quota, Parliament session likely to be extended
India Today
The ongoing Budget Session of Parliament may be extended beyond April 2. According to sources, the government is considering a dedicated two-day session to push through amendments to the Women's Reservation Act.
The government plans on extending the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament to introduce bills to amend the Women’s Reservation Act and fast-track the legislation, sources said.
The Women's Reservation Act, passed in 2023, provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, but it has yet to be implemented due to the pending delimitation exercise.
The proposed amendments to the act aim to delink its implementation from the delayed delimitation exercise currently slated for 2027-28.
Sources said the current session may extend beyond April 2 instead of adjourning to prioritise the amendments. If cleared, it would push the number of seats in the Lok Sabha up by 50 per cent, from the existing 543 to 816, with the 273-seat increase earmarked for women.
According to sources familiar with discussions, including meetings chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the government is weighing a dedicated two-day session within the next fortnight.
The plan is to hold a focused debate and pass the constitutional amendment needed to operationalise women’s reservation.
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