The long-awaited Women's Reservation Bill, promising 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, has finally seen the light of day during a special Parliament session. Titled the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam,' this progressive legislation, however, awaits its full implementation, tied to the next delimitation exercise expected post-2026.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha on the second day of the special session. While it marks a significant step towards gender inclusivity in Indian politics, there are key aspects to understand about this historic legislation:
1. 33% Reservation for Women: The bill aims to reserve 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies, and the Delhi assembly. It does not extend to the Rajya Sabha or state Legislative Councils.
2. Inclusivity for Scheduled Castes and Tribes: Within this quota, one-third of the seats will be reserved for women from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, addressing multiple layers of underrepresentation.
3. Post-Delimitation Implementation: The crucial aspect to note is that this reservation will only take effect after the next delimitation exercise is completed, following the first census after 2026.
4. Seat Rotation: To ensure a fair and evolving representation, the bill outlines the rotation of seats reserved for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies after each subsequent delimitation exercise.
5. Exclusion of OBC Category: It's essential to clarify that the bill does not include reservations for women from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
The government's aim with this legislation is to facilitate increased participation of women in policymaking at both state and national levels. The Women's Reservation Bill had been pending for almost 27 years, with its most recent significant development being its passage in the Rajya Sabha back in 2010. While the full implementation may be a few years away, this bill marks a significant stride toward more gender-inclusive governance in India.