Bhopal, Sep 10 : The Women's Reservation Bill would become a reality only after the 2009 general elections, a parliamentary committee head said.

"Though all the major political parties are keen to introduce the Women's Reservation Bill, it would become a reality only after the 2009 general elections because lot of formalities have to be completed before its implementation," said E.M.S. Sudarsana Natchiappan, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievance, Law and Justice.

Women's reservation, once implemented, would be "a great achievement towards women liberalisation," Natchiappan added.

The parliamentary committee was here on a two-day visit to discuss the issue of women's reservation and review the implementation of Right to Information in various organisations, particularly in the public sector.

Natchiappan said the committee was making efforts to evolve consensus on the issue of women reservation and a majority of parties were ready to implement the bill with certain amendments for OBC and minorities.

He said he had met representatives of various parties and discussed the stand of the state government for the 108th Amendment Bill-2008 popularly known as the 'Women Reservation Bill'.

"Members of the Committee also visited BHEL, GAIL, Northern Coal India Ltd, and State Bank of Indore to review the implementation of Right to Information Act in these organisations and we were satisfied," he said.

"We have, however, told all the organisations not to reject any application seeking any information and update their websites regularly on a day-to-day basis so that more people are able to access information," he added.

The Committee members also held discussions with the state chief secretary, political parties, representatives of state government, organisations and individuals on the Women's Reservation Bill.

 

--- IANS