The Hindu : National : High time quota Bill is tabled, say women

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Tuesday, Jul 25, 2006

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National

High time quota Bill is tabled, say women

Special Correspondent

AGAINST LIP SERVICE: National Federation of Indian Women activist Amarjeet Kaur addressing a dharna in New Delhi on Monday. — Photo: Anu Pushkarna

NEW DELHI: It is high time the Government took the Women's Reservation Bill out of cold storage, women's groups warned here on Monday. They said if the United Progressive Alliance Government ignored the voice of women and failed to feel the pulse of the people, it would have to regret its failure in the near future. They were participating in a protest by the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), which began a 17-day dharna demanding that the Bill be tabled in the winter session of Parliament.

The Communist Party of India (CPI)-backed NFIW general secretary Annie Raja said the National Democratic Alliance Government, despite giving several assurances to women's delegations, did not bring in the Bill, which seeks to provide reserve 33 per cent reservation to women in the Assemblies and Parliament. "We expected the UPA Government to pass the Bill, as they have not only committed themselves to adopt the legislation but also prioritised it in the common minimum programme.

"It is really surprising why consensus should be sought within Parliament for the introduction of this Bill, when all political parties have given their commitment in their election manifestos. It seems that this kind of lip service and assurance is in reality a mere strategy to ensure votes from the women folk."

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