(a) whether the Government proposes 50 per cent reservation for women in urban local bodies and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details of States which have such provisions at present;
(c) whether the Government has had any consultations with the States in this regard and if so, the details and response thereto;
(d) the steps taken or being taken by the Government keeping in view the response of the States; and
(e) the time by which a central legislation in this regard will be mooted?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN EVELOPMENT (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)
(a): Yes, Madam. The Government is considering a proposal for increasing representation of women in urban local bodies from the present 33 per cent to 50 per cent through an amendment to article 243T of the Constitution of India.
(b) to (e): Many States already have provision for 50 percent reservation for women in Urban Local Bodies, which include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tripura and Telangana. One round of consultations have been undertaken with States and there is a broad consensus to the proposal. Further action would be taken as per the decision of the Cabinet.