NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said there was progress in talks among various allies of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in arriving at a common understanding on the Women's Reservation Bill, and that he was hopeful that it would be introduced as soon as possible.

Dr. Singh gave this assurance to a women's delegation that met him here to demand that the Women's Reservation Bill be included in the business of this Parliamentary session and adopted immediately.

Examples cited

The delegation pointed out to him that neighbouring countries had a high proportion of women's representation in decision-making bodies. Nepal had 33 per cent, Pakistan 22 per cent, Bangladesh 14 per cent and even the strife-ridden Palestine had some percentage.

Led by Brinda Karat of the All-India Women's Democratic Association, the delegation comprised Sathi Devi, Sujatha and Jyotirmoy Sikdar (CPI-M), Mohsina Kidwai, Mekhala and Prabha Thakur (Congress), Durga Devi (Telugu Desam Party) along with Nirmala Deshpande, Subhashini Ali (AIDWA), Annie Raja (National Federation of Indian Women), Manorama Bawa (All-India Women's Conference), Mary Khemchand (Young Women's Christian Association), Jyotsna Chatterjee (Joint Women's Programme), Vimal Thorat (National Federation of Dalit Women), and Mary John (Centre for Women's Development Studies).

Memorandum

In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister, the delegation pointed out that the Common Minimum Programme adopted by the UPA in May 2004 categorically stated that "the UPA Government will take the lead to introduce legislation for one-third reservations for women in vidhan sabhas and in the Lok Sabha.''

Despite this clear assurance, the Government has failed to introduce the Bill in any session of Parliament held in the past two years. "We are shocked that the Bill finds no mention in the business listed in the current session.''

"Put it to vote"

Demanding immediate introduction of the Bill in its present form, the memorandum sought an open discussion on it and putting it to vote. "We would like to remind you that it is more than 10 years since the Bill was first introduced in Parliament, and sent to a Joint Select Committee, which gave its recommendations, on the basis of which a final draft has been prepared. All major political parties have clearly stated that they support the Bill, and yet it is being delayed in the name of an illusory consensus. It is unfortunate that several proposals that either dilute the focus of the Bill or are diversionary and impractical are being discussed outside Parliament,'' the memorandum said.

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