Read the latest updates on this big story here:Senior BJP leader said she was disappointed that the bill reserving 33% seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies does not carve out a quota for women from the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she demanded that half the seats in the women's quota be reserved for SC/STs and OBCs, and backward class women from the Muslim community should also get a benefit.Meghalaya minister Dr Ampareen Lyngdoh said she hoped for Bill to become a law at the earliest. I am delighted.
This is a day of jubilation for all of us, for women across the country. I look forward to the Bill taking the shape of a law at the earliest.
I hope we will soon see assemblies giving a fairer chance to women to participate actively in politics." On how the reservation Bill will enhance the representation of women in Parliament, Lyngdoh of the ruling National People's Party (NPP) said, “It's not as if there have never been women candidates in Parliament but they often lost out to male contenders. So, when you reserve a seat exclusively for women, I think it would be the best way to give women the recognition they deserve," Lyngdoh told ANI news agency.Opposition parties have found two talking points on the Women's Reservation Bill.
They accused the government of calling "huge betrayal" as the implementation date had been kept vague and criticised the government for not providing a quota for backward classes.The Lok Sabha MPs on Wednesday will discuss on Women's Reservation Bill at 11 am today. The Bill is likely to receive a full majority and may get passed during the special session of the Parliament.
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