Takeaways from the Women’s Reservation Bill

Where and when was it launched?

The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha at the New Parliament Building on September 19. Union Law Minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal tabled the Women’s Reservation Bill. It is one hundred and twenty eighth amendment bill of the constitution.

What is in the bill?

• One- third of the seats will be reserved for women in Legislative Assemblies, including Delhi
• One- third of the seats will be reserved for women in the Lok Sabha
• One- third of seats earmarked for the SCs and STs will be reserved for women in Lok Sabha and Assemblies
• Seats reserved for women shall continue till such date as the Parliament may by law determine
• Rotation of seats reserved for women shall take effect after each subsequent exercise of delimitation as Parliament may by law determine

Statements of objects and reasons

• While women participate substantively in the Panchayat Raj institutions and municipal bodies, their representation in the state legislatures as well as in Parliament is still limited
• Empowerment of women will require greater participation of women in the decision making process as they bring different perspectives to the debates based on their theme

When will the bill come into being?

• Depends when the government completes the Census exercise, likely by 2029
• Delimitation of seats to be conducted post Census

What’s not there in the bill?

• No quota within quota for OBCs
• No mention of reservation for women in Rajya Sabha or Legislative Council