Constitutional Amendment Bill Introduced to Reserve Seats for Women in Parliament and Assemblies
On September 19, the Indian government introduced the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, which proposes to reserve 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of India’s parliament) and state Legislative Assemblies. This reservation will apply to seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) as well.
What is the significance of the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023?
The bill is significant as it aims to increase women’s representation in India’s parliament and assemblies, addressing the gender imbalance in political decision-making.
What were the previous constitutional amendments related to gender representation in local governance?
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments mandated one-third reservation for women in rural and urban local bodies. They took effect on April 24, 1993, and June 1, 1993, respectively.
What were the key recommendations of the Balwantrai Mehta Committee and the Asoka Mehta Committee regarding local self-governance in India?
The Balwantrai Mehta Committee in 1957 recommended setting up elected local bodies to carry out government development programs, while the Asoka Mehta Committee in 1977 suggested strengthening the role of Panchayati Raj as a political institution.
What role did the 73rd and 74th Amendments play in reshaping local governance in India?
These amendments established local self-governance in rural and urban areas, introduced direct elections for various tiers of governance, and mandated one-third reservation for women.
How does the new bill propose to expand gender representation in parliamentary and assembly bodies?
The bill aims to reserve 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies, including SC and ST seats. This extends gender representation to higher levels of government beyond local bodies.
What are the potential benefits and challenges associated with implementing such a reservation for women in parliamentary and assembly seats?
The benefits include increased gender diversity and a broader range of perspectives in decision-making, while challenges may include ensuring effective implementation and addressing potential resistance from some quarters.
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Month: Current Affairs - September, 2023
Category: India Nation & States Current Affairs