NEW DELHI: The Union government is considering reintroducing the delimitation and women’s reservation bills, and may convene a special session of Parliament in October for the purpose, according to national media reports. The government has not officially announced session dates or the content of the proposals.
The bills would provide 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies and carry out delimitation, the redrawing of constituency boundaries. Both require a constitutional amendment, which must be passed by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting, and by a majority of the total membership of each House.
A constitutional amendment bill linking women’s reservation to delimitation failed to pass the Lok Sabha during the Budget session on April 17 for lack of sufficient support, handing the Centre a setback. Speculation over its return has continued since.
While parties across the spectrum back greater representation for women, the objection is to tying it to delimitation based on population. Southern states, which say they have successfully controlled population growth, fear that such a redistribution would reduce their share of seats and political influence.
To secure the required numbers, the Centre is reportedly reaching out to regional parties. It is said to be in talks with Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK, which has 22 Lok Sabha members, and with other smaller regional parties.
The reports come as crude oil prices ease in international markets, which some observers see as improving the government’s political position.