Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde on Sunday said that the Women’s Reservation Bill is a matter of pride and that Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has taken this step to empower women.
“Prime Minister Modi is advancing the country and bringing glory to the nation. Our country’s economy is strengthening. In such a situation, our women and sisters should gain self-respect and become self-reliant. This is a matter of pride for women. PM Modi has taken this step for their empowerment,” Shinde told ANI.
PM Modi also said that the government has called a special session of Parliament on April 16, 17, and 18 to ensure that the benefits of women’s reservation come into force from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. He added that states that have performed well in population control will not face any loss in terms of seats.
PM highlights BJP’s push for women’s empowerment
Addressing a campaign rally, PM Modi referred to the BJP government’s efforts to empower women and noted that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed during the NDA government’s tenure.
“So far, the BJP government at the Centre has ensured access to basic facilities for our sisters. We have made 3 crore women Lakhpati Didis, but it is equally important that women play a greater role in decision-making for the country. Therefore, our government has enacted a law to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Efforts are now being made to ensure that women across the country, including West Bengal, benefit from this starting from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections,” he said.
Increase in Lok Sabha seats set to boost women’s representation
PM Modi added that an increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats would benefit women and all states.
“Therefore, the government has scheduled a special session of Parliament on April 16, 17, and 18. This right of our mothers and sisters has been pending for 40 years, and any further delay is not right. From Cooch Behar, I once again assure all states that those which have performed well in population control will not face any loss in seats,” he said.
The Lok Sabha currently has 543 seats, and a proposed 50 per cent increase would take the total to 816, with around 273 seats (about one-third) reserved for women.
(With ANI inputs)
