Women’s Bill: govt for consensus
Tribune News Service and agencies

NEW DELHI, Dec 24 — The government today rejected the suggestion of the Samajwadi Party to dilute the provisions of the women’s reservation Bill to peg down the quota at 10 per cent instead of the proposed 33 per cent saying “10 per cent is no reservation”.

The Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr Pramod Mahajan, told newspersons here that on an average there was 9 per cent representation of women in Parliament and state assemblies and the Samajwadi Party proposal would have no significant impact on giving additional representation to women in legislative bodies.

He said the government had an open mind on the provisions of the Bill and the proposed 33 per cent reservation for women also provided reservation for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes in the Lok Sabha.

He said the government would hold discussions with various parties to ensure a smooth passage for the Bill in the next session of Parliament. He felt the demand for a sub quota for OBCs, SCs and STs within the 33 per cent was not constitutionally right as it would reflect on the overall reservation.

Mr Mahajan ruled out pushing the proposed legislation with the help of the Congress saying even the principal Opposition party was in favour of consensus.

On the recently concluded session, Mr Mahajan said it was a satisfactory one as the government had managed to have 19 Bills passed, which is a record of the decade.

The government cleared almost all financial business, including the crucial Insurance Development Authority Bill, Foreign Exchange Management Act and money laundering Bill. He felt the Congress support for all the Bills, particularly in the Rajya Sabha where it had a majority, reflected that the government had a full-fledged mandate, was a majority and a stable government.

“Their (opposition) attitude reflects our stability and they also thought it is better to cooperate in national interests,” the Minister said.

On the WTO-related Bills, which have a deadline of December 31 as per provisions of the Uruguay Round in 1997, he said while Trademarks Bill, copyright Bill and geographical indications Bill-had been passed by both Houses, the crucial patents Bill and plant varieties Bill have been referred to select committees.

The design Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha though it could not be taken up in the Lok Sabha and the semi-conductor design layout Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha.

Mr Mahajan, who is also the Minister for Information Technology, said the IT Bill, which had been referred to a standing committee of Parliament, was also being circulated to various individuals and organisations for their comments as the government wanted maximum participation in formulation of the IT policy.

Mr Mahajan informed that the government would try for consensus on the constitutional amendment Bills relating to the panchayati raj system as the issue was very dear to the Congress as it was brought forward by late Rajiv Gandhi. “If some changes are needed, we will come out with a comprehensive Bill”, he said.

On the lack of quorum in the two Houses of Parliament on many occasions, Mr Mahajan said he would try to evolve a roster system for MPs of the NDA to ensure that a minimum number of members are present throughout the day in the House.

Meanwhile, the Congress today said it would not agree under any circumstances to a reduction in the quota for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.