” Dr. Preeti Singh, Advocate Partner at PS law Advocates & Solicitors “
After a long wait of 27 years, the Lok Sabha has passed “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill” in its special session on 20.09.2023. Though, by virtue of 73rd. and 74th amendment of the Constitution of India, one-third seats were already reserved for women in panchayats and municipalities but even after various attempts, it could not be reserved for Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha.
However, better late than never and eventually the bill supporting the cause of women empowerment was proposed on 20.09.2023. Through the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Amendment) Act, seats will be reserved in Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies including the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi. The reservation will continue to be in operation for a period of 15 years and will rotate after every delimitation exercise.
With the advent of this bill, the involvement of women in active politics would be encouraged and it would further ensure greater gender representation. The bill aims at addressing the issue of gender disparity in politics. Since the bill would also have a reservation for SCs and STs, therefore, it would also empower the marginalized women of the society. The bill is capable of challenging traditional gender roles and pre conceived notion about the role of women.
The Amendments which have been proposed are in Article 239AA, in which clause (2) (ba) should be inserted so as to reserve seats for women in the Assembly of NCT: 1/3rd of the seats to be reserved for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes in Assembly of NCT will be reserved for women; 1/3rd of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in Assembly of NCT will be reserved for women (including number of women belonging to SCs)
Further, Article 330-A is proposed to be inserted which will reserve seats for women in the House of People or Lok Sabha. Article 332- A would be inserted which will reserve seats for women in the Assemble of every State….
The said bill would have great significance at the global level as well as it would improve India’s low global ranking in the category of women’s political representation. This bill if viewed keeping off the political lens, could be seen as the beacon of promoting gender equality in political leadership and decision-making.
The bill however, will come into effect only after the next exercise of delimitation is over. Thus, effectively the bill cannot come into force at least until 2027
Shared By: Dr. Preeti Singh
