Dhaka, June 12: Even as Indian political parties fail
to reach a consensus over the Women's Reservation Bill,
Bangladesh is all set to increase by more than double the
number of reserved seats for women in parliament.
"The number of reserved seats for women in parliament
will be increased to 100 and there will be direct election in
these seats," Finance Minister A M A Muhith told the House
while presenting the budget for 2009-10 yesterday.
The women MPs have so far been nominated by political
parties on the basis of the proportion of their representation
in parliament.
At present, only 45 seats are reserved for women in the
Bangladesh parliament.
Muhith said in line with its election commitment,
the Sheikh Hasina government has started working to ensure
recruitment, promotion and placement of women in top
positions of the administration, armed forces, autonomous
bodies, educational institutions and judicial service.
The December 29, 2008 general elections brought Awami
League with three fourths majority while the Election
Commission declared 45 women MPs elected unopposed in reserve
seats in March.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, June 12, 2009, 20:47