Women’s quota not on table

Playing down Home Minister Shivraj Patil’s letter to political parties on Women’s Reservation Bill, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said the Government has not taken any decision on the issue and the Bill is not going to be presented at the Budget Session, beginning tomorrow.

‘‘The Government’s proposal is to talk to political parties, hear their opinion and then take a decision. Nothing has been decided yet. At the moment, the Home Minister has been asked to talk to the parties,’’ Azad said.

Patil had written to the parties earlier this month, suggesting that the strength of Parliament and state Assemblies be increased by 33 per cent to provide for additional seats to women as against reserving 33 per cent of the seats. Patil had also suggested that the Central Hall be converted into Lok Sabha and the latter into Rajya Sabha to accommodate the additional seats.