NEW DELHI, Dec 2: In order to expand the women’s reservation law’s provisions to the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry, the Government has scheduled two bills for introduction during the winter session of Parliament. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated that Delhi, a Union Territory, was included in the women’s reservation law that was approved by Parliament in September because of a clause in the Constitution. In response to a query during an all-party meeting called by the government prior to the meeting, Meghwal stated that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry do not currently have any provisions in place to extend the legal provisions. He explained, “That is why separate bills after discussion.”The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2023 has been scheduled by the government for introduction, discussion, and eventual passing in the upcoming session that starts on Monday. It aims to introduce into the Puducherry Legislative Assembly clauses granting women reservations. Similarly, a third of the seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly are intended to be set aside for women under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Even though Jammu and Kashmir has a provision for a legislative assembly, the Union Territory is now governed by President’s Rule.The women’s reservation bill, formally known as the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, aims to grant women 33% of the seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. “It shall come into force on such date as the central government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint,” states its provision. In September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the bill as “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam” during a special session of Parliament. The Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha both passed the Constitution amendment measure with near-unanimity.The next census and the ensuing delimitation exercise, which involves redrawing Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies, will determine the specific seats being set aside for women, so it will be some time before the law is put into effect. For a period of fifteen years, the Lok Sabha and assembly quota for women will be in effect. Afterward, Parliament may decide to prolong the benefit period.
