New Delhi: Even though the Rajya Sabha gave a
thumbs up to the Women`s Reservation Bill, the Lok Sabha gave
a miss to the controversial Constitution amendment legislation
in the Budget Session that concluded on Friday.
The government decided against introducing the
much-awaited crucial bill in the Lower House during the Budget
Session in view of strong opposition by some parties.
The bill provides for one-third reservation to women in
the Lok Sabha and Assemblies but some parties like Samajwadi
Party, RJD, BSP and a section of JD(U) are opposed to it in
the present form as they are seeking a quota within quota for
women from backward sections.
The Rajya Sabha passed the bill during the Session in
March but not without a high drama that involved pandemonium
and forcible eviction of at least seven opposing members.
In view of the unprecedented unruly scenes witnessed in
the Rajya Sabha, the government had said it would talk to the
opposing parties in a bid to evolve a consensus before
introducing the bill in the Lok Sabha.
When asked why the bill was not introduced in the Lok
Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said
today that the process of consultation with political parties
had not been completed.
He said the government is talking to the parties
concerned, keeping its promise on the issue, but discussions
could not proceed further due to heavy business in the Budget
session.
An all-party meeting on April 5 had failed to break the
logjam with the Yadav trio -- Mulayam Singh, Lalu Prasad and
Sharad Yadav -- sticking to their demand for quota within
quota and UPA ally Trinamool Congress joining chorus with
them.
PTI
