The centre is reportedly preparing to table two Constitution Amendment Bills in the Lok Sabha during the current budget session to make significant modifications to the women’s reservation law. The revisions aim to modify the Delimitation Act of 2002 and disentangle the Census exercise from the law. The objective is to establish a Delimitation Commission by June of this year, which will consider the 2011 Census data. The proposed changes have already been approved by the Union Cabinet.
The goal of the move is to advance women’s representation in the lower house and state assemblies by two years, to 2029, when the upcoming general elections are scheduled. According to the recommendations, the total number of seats will rise from 543 to 816, with 273 of those seats set aside for women in accordance with the 33% quota. There might be 50% rise in the number of seats in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha, but the proportion of each state’s representation in the lower house will remain constant, reported The Indian Express.
Similar provisions will also apply to the reserved seats for SC/STs. There are currently 84 seats for SCs in the Lok Sabha, and that number is predicted to increase to 126. Meanwhile, the number of seats set aside for STs may increase from 47 to 70. Every third election, certain UTs and states with one or two LS seats will set aside a seat for women. These seats will remain reserved for three terms before being placed in the open category.
The implementation of reservations can be accelerated once the Census is separated from the legislation and the Delimitation Commission is established. In an effort to reach an agreement, the government has already started consulting with opposition parties and is eager to introduce the amended legislation in the current session of Parliament. It has been reported that Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed multiple opposition leaders about the same plan of action.
On 23rd March (Monday). He met with leaders of the BJD, YSRCP, NCP (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), and AIMIM. He is also anticipated to have talks with leaders of the Congress, TMC, DMK and SP. According to reports, a draw of lots, a procedure meant to ascertain rotation and equity, will probably be used to distribute the reserved seats. However, the suggested structure might not affect some minor states, like Sikkim. Likewise, state legislative councils and the Rajya Sabha’s strength will not be impacted.
The process gained pace during a recent meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, at which Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the importance of working toward enacting women’s reservation by 2029. The new amendments are intended to expedite the schedule and provide certainty on execution, whereas the previous law called for execution following the next census and delimitation process.
The Nari Shakti Abhinandan Adhiniyam, which was passed in 2023, stipulates that a 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies is tied to the completion of the next Census and delimitation, which will probably take place in 2031. The proposed 2027 Census is only projected to be concluded by the end of next year. The government is trying to separate the Census requirement to accelerate the adoption of the law in 2029.
