NEW DELHI:
Congress, Left parties and opposition BJP on Tuesday welcomed
the introduction of a Bill in the Rajya Sabha proposing 33 per cent reservation
for women in Parliament and state legislatures but the Samajwadi Party said it
will oppose the measure. (
Watch )
SP members, who tried to snatch copies of the Bill from Law Minister
H R Bhardwaj in the Upper House, said they would continue to oppose it till the
deprived sections and minorities get their share of quota within the proposed 33
per cent reservation for women.
Describing the Bill as an important measure to end gender bias,
Bhardwaj said "I am very happy it will lead to one third reservation for women.
It is a landmark step in India's history."
Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said "other parties have
talked about it but we have actually introduced the Bill. We cleared it in the
cabinet and introduced in the Rajya Sabha. Now the Bill will not lapse."
CPM leader Brinda Karat said "I congratulate the UPA for introducing
the Women's Reservation Bill. I hope the government will ensure the passage of
the Bill in the same spirit in which it was introduced."
Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj told reporters here "I am happy that
the Bill is introduced and also happy that it is introduced in the Rajya Sabha
because it will not lapse now."
Taking a swipe at opponents of the Bill, she said "it is unfortunate
that there is not even an iota of change in the mindset of some parties".
Sunday, 28 September 2008