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Women's Reservation Bill: Govt Seeks Opposition Support for Historic 273 Seats

The Central government is reaching out to opposition parties to build consensus for amending the Women's Reservation Bill, aiming to delink it from the pending delimitation process. The amendment proposes using the 2011 census data to proceed, which could increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816, reserving 273 seats for women. Home Minister Amit Shah has held meetings with both NDA allies and opposition leaders to secure the required two-thirds majority. If passed, this would mark a historic democratic shift, potentially reshaping the 2029 general elections.

Key Points: Women's Reservation Bill Amendment: Govt Reaches Out to Opposition

  • Bill to delink women's quota from delimitation
  • Uses 2011 census data as base
  • Lok Sabha seats may increase from 543 to 816
  • Needs 2/3rd majority to pass
  • Aims for 273 women MPs by 2029
3 min read

Govt seeks Oppn support for Women's Reservation Amendment Bill

Govt seeks opposition support to amend Women's Reservation Bill, delinking it from delimitation using 2011 census. Lok Sabha seats may rise to 816.

"The government's key point is that they won't wait for a new census to give women... fair representation in Parliament. - Government Source"

New Delhi, March 23

The Central government is making efforts to reach out and garner support from opposition parties for the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, also called the Women's Reservation Bill, which aims to delink quotas for women from the delimitation process. The bill is likely to be introduced in this budget session.

To build consensus, Home Minister Amit Shah has held meetings with leaders from various opposition parties, including BJD, YSRCP, NCP (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena (UBT), Samajwadi party and others.

The bill was passed by Parliament in 2023. The base for delimitation had originally been set at the 2011 census. The Delimitation Act will be amended accordingly. The Government is currently building consensus as this legislation will need 2/3rd majority to pass this legislation, making it crucial to secure support from opposition parties.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also held a meeting with NDA parliamentary floor leaders. LJP Sambhavi Choudhary, Lalan Singh, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Upendra Kushwaha, Shrikant Shinde, Milind Deora, Thambidurai, Anupriya Patel, Praful Patel, Rajkumar Sangwan, along with several other NDA MPs, were present in the meeting.

As per the top sources, the Government has planned two major amendments. 2023's Nari Shakti Vandan Act tied women's reservation to the new census and delimitation. Due to census delays, the plan is to proceed with the 2011 census data. The 2011 census is to be the basis for delimitation and seat redistribution. Lok Sabha seats may increase from 543 to 816 post-amendment.

A bill will be introduced in Parliament to amend the Nari Shakti Vandan Act.

A separate Delimitation Bill will be introduced. Both bills need to be passed as Constitutional amendments for women's reservation. The new Lok Sabha is likely to have more than 800 seats. Keeping up with the status quo, there is no provision for OBC reservation, and SC/ST reservation will continue. However, states won't have a role; the bill passed by Parliament will apply to them.

Currently, the Lok Sabha has 543 seats. With a proposed 50% increase, the number of seats will rise to 816, with 273 (about a third) reserved for women.

The government's key point is that they won't wait for a new census to give women, comprising half the country's population, fair representation in Parliament. Instead, delimitation will be done using the 2011 census data.

The Home Minister led a crucial meeting with NDA parliamentary floor leaders, discussing the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Act. Shah has briefed several opposition leaders on the proposed plan. The opposition supports women's reservation, but discussions are ongoing to build consensus on seat distribution and delimitation.

If passed, this bill will be India's biggest democratic shift since independence, giving the country 273 women MPs by 2029. The 2029 general elections will see contests on 816 Lok Sabha seats, changing the majority mark from 272 (for 543 seats) to 409.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
While the intent is good, increasing Lok Sabha seats to 816 seems like a massive expansion of the political class and its costs. Will this truly empower women from all backgrounds, or just create more seats for political families? The lack of OBC quota within this reservation is a major oversight.
A
Amit W
Finally! Delinking from the delimitation logjam is a masterstroke. We can't keep waiting for the next census. 2011 data is fine to get this moving. Our mothers, sisters, and daughters deserve a voice in shaping the country's future. Jai Hind!
S
Shreya B
As a young woman, I'm cautiously optimistic. The proof will be in the implementation. Will these reserved seats empower grassroots women leaders, or will parties just field wives and daughters of existing netas? The system needs to ensure real diversity.
K
Karthik V
Good to see consensus-building. Such a major constitutional change should not be rushed through on mere numbers. The opposition must scrutinize the fine print, especially on how seat distribution will work for states. But ultimately, it's a reform whose time has come.
M
Meera T
This is wonderful news! More women in Parliament will change the kind of issues that get discussed - education, healthcare, safety. It's a step towards a more balanced and compassionate democracy. Hope it passes smoothly! 💪

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