Question : Women Reservation Bill

(a) whether India ranks 109 amongst 193 global nations in terms of women Parliamentarians which is just 12 per cent against global average of 22.7 per cent and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to table and pass Women Reservation Bill;
(c) if so, whether the Government proposes to put the bill to test of numbers rather than seeking consensus and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether some political parties are deliberately stalling this bill by invoking religion and caste criteria and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to bring in a uniform 33 per cent reservation for women at all stages from civic bodies to Parliament rather than having 50 per cent at lower levels and if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be adopted?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI P.P.CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3512 DATED 07th DECEMBER, 2016
(a): The Government has no such data.
(b) to (d): During the years, a consistent demand has been made from various quarters for giving adequate representation to women in Parliament and State Legislatures and to provide for reservation of one-third seats for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies including the Legislative Assemblies of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, for a period of 15 years. A Bill, namely, the Constitution (One Hundred and Eight Amendment) Bill, 2008 was introduced in Rajya Sabha on 6th May, 2008. The Rajya Sabha passed the said Bill on 9th March, 2010; but it could not be passed by the Fifteenth Lok Sabha. The said Bill lapsed on dissolution of the fifteenth Lok Sabha.

It has been the endeavor of the Government to provide for reservation of one-third seats for women in the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies. The issue involved needs careful consideration on the basis of consensus among all political parties before a Bill for amendment in the Constitution is brought before Parliament.

(e): No, Madam.