Passage of Women’s bill might be a tough task: Meira

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said the passage of Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament depended upon consensus

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on Friday said the passage of Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament depended upon consensus,indicating that it was still a tough task.

“Consensus is very necessary for its passage,” Kumar said when asked whether she is hopeful of the passage of the Bill,which has been hanging fire over a decade due to lack of consensus.

Though maintaining that the Women Reservation Bill is gaining momentum,the Speaker said,”the next process will be its taking up by Rajya Sabha. Let see what happens there.”

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When pointed out that a number of political parties have already begun opposing the Bill in its present form,the Speaker said: “Yes it is true. Last time also the same thing had happened. It is necessary that there is a consensus of everybody on it.”

She,however,felt that there is no major problem between the two main parties Congress and BJP over the issue.

“Do you think they have different views. So far as I have seen,at times,they are on the same side on this issue,” was the Speaker’s refrain when asked whether she thinks that the two major parties should come together for the smooth passage of the Bill.

The Union Cabinet last night approved the Bill,which seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

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Political parties like SP,RJD and JD-U are opposing the Bill in its present form demanding quota within quota.

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