New Delhi, Sept 18: The Union Cabinet on Monday approved the Women’s Reservation Bill, which provides for 33% women quota in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, according to Media reports citing sources.
Though there was no official confirmation of the development, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh welcomed the “reported decision”.

“It’s been a long-standing demand of the Congress party to implement women’s reservation. We welcome the reported decision of the Union Cabinet and await the details of the Bill. This could have very well been discussed in the all-party meeting before the Special Session, and consensus could have been built instead of operating under a veil of secrecy,” said Ramesh.

The Cabinet meeting had spiked interest in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier comments that “historic decisions” would be taken in the special session.
The suspense continued even after the meeting, which was held at the Parliament House Annexe, concluded as the government skipped the customary briefing.

Contribution of women on the rise, PM in Lok Sabha

The meeting was held in the evening after the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the day. In his remarks in Lok Sabha on the discussion on 75 years of Parliament, PM Modi had asserted that the contribution of women parliamentarians has been on the rise over the years.
Giving a rough estimation, the PM had informed that more than 7500 public representatives have served in both Houses where the number of women representatives is approximately 600.
The two Houses will hold their sittings in the new Parliament building on Tuesday. The Special Session will continue till September 22. (Agencies)