NewKerala.com

Kartikeya Sharma's Shakti Samman Bill: AI Portal to Enforce Equal Pay for Women

MP Kartikeya Sharma has introduced the Shakti Samman Bill in the Rajya Sabha, aiming to bridge the gender pay gap through a modern legal framework. The bill introduces an "Equal Value" standard to assess work by skill and responsibility, not just job title. It mandates an AI-powered compliance portal and annual pay audits for larger companies to ensure transparency. The proposed law also seeks to create a National Authority for Pay Parity and aligns India with global labor standards.

Key Points: Shakti Samman Bill: AI-Powered Push for Gender Pay Parity in India

  • Equal Value standard beyond "same work"
  • AI-powered portal to detect wage gaps
  • Mandatory annual pay parity audits
  • Prohibits use of prior salary history
2 min read

MP Kartikeya Sharma introduces "Shakti Samman" Bill in Rajya Sabha; Proposes AI-powered portal and "Equal Value" standard to bridge gender pay gap

MP Kartikeya Sharma introduces a bill proposing an AI portal, "Equal Value" standard, and mandatory audits to eliminate India's gender pay gap.

"True empowerment is only possible when a woman's contribution is valued with the same dignity and currency as her male counterparts. - Kartikeya Sharma"

New Delhi, February 6

In a landmark legislative move aimed at achieving true economic justice for Indian women, Member of Parliament Kartikeya Sharma has introduced The Shakti Samman Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill proposes a modern, technology-driven framework to ensure women receive equal pay for "Work of Equal Value," a standard that evaluates roles based on skill, effort, and responsibility rather than just job titles.

The Shakti Samman Bill is introduced as a forward-looking "up-gradation" to India's existing labor laws, supporting the national vision of Viksit Bharat and Women-led Development. By addressing systemic wage disparities through transparency and specialized oversight, the Bill seeks to fulfill constitutional mandates under Articles 14, 15, and 39(d).

The "Equal Value" standard: Moves beyond "same work" to a scientific assessment of skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions.

AI-Powered equal pay digital compliance portal: Establishes a centralized portal using Artificial Intelligence to monitor payroll data and automatically detect systemic wage anomalies.

Mandatory pay parity audits: Requires establishments with 50 or more employees to conduct annual audits disclosing mean and median gender pay gaps.

Prohibition of "Prior Pay" history: Breaks the cycle of discrimination by prohibiting employers from making a candidate's past salary a mandatory condition for hiring.

Gender justice fund: Penalties collected from non-compliant firms will fund legal aid, research, and awareness programs for women employees.

"True empowerment is only possible when a woman's contribution is valued with the same dignity and currency as her male counterparts," said Kartikeya Sharma. "The Shakti Samman Bill is not a critique of the past, but a blueprint for a fairer future. By leveraging AI and transparent audits, we are making pay parity a tangible reality for every working woman in India."

The Bill proposes the creation of the National Authority for Pay Parity of Women, a specialized body with the powers of a Civil Court to investigate complaints and conduct suo motu investigations into industry-wide wage gaps.

By aligning with International Labour Organization (ILO) standards, the Shakti Samman Bill positions India as a global leader in modern, technology-driven labor reform.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good intentions, but execution is everything. My concern is the burden on MSMEs with 50+ employees. Annual audits mean more compliance cost. The government must provide simple, subsidized tools for small companies. Otherwise, they might just hire fewer women to avoid the hassle. The idea is solid, needs practical support.
A
Ananya R
Finally! The prohibition on asking for prior pay history is the most important part. I changed jobs last year and the new offer was based on my old, lower salary, not my worth. This cycle keeps women's pay low forever. Kudos to Kartikeya Sharma for this bill. Let's hope it passes quickly. 💪
V
Vikram M
Using AI is a smart, modern approach. India is leading in tech, so why not use it for social justice? The Gender Justice Fund is also a good idea – penalties should be recycled to help more women. My only question: will the National Authority have real teeth to take on big corporates? The proof will be in the first few cases they handle.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in the development sector here, aligning with ILO standards is significant for India's global image. This could attract more ethical foreign investment. The bill seems comprehensive. The success will depend on creating awareness so women know their rights and how to use this portal.
K
Karthik V
I appreciate the intent, but we must be cautious. An AI system is only as good as the data it's fed. How will data privacy for employees be ensured? Also, "equal value" assessments can be subjective. We need very clear, sector-specific guidelines to prevent endless disputes. The bill is

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50