New Delhi [India], April 15 : Appreciating the government's push for women's empowerment, Padma Shri awardee and renowned Odissi dancer Ranjana Gauhar has welcomed the proposed Women's Reservation Bill ahead of the special three-day parliamentary sitting scheduled from April 16 to 18.
Speaking to ANI, Gauhar congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what she described as a "commendable initiative" aimed at increasing women's participation in governance.
"I would like to congratulate the Prime Minister for taking a new step toward women's empowerment. Women's participation not only strengthens them but also strengthens the country," she said, adding, "This is a very good step. With their wisdom and strength, they will help take the nation forward. Their presence is a very necessary step. Indeed, this is a very commendable initiative."
The special session of Parliament is set to deliberate on amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, along with the proposed Delimitation Bill. The government is expected to introduce a Constitutional amendment to implement a 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha starting from the 2029 general elections.
According to sources, the Centre is also considering a significant expansion of the Lok Sabha's strength from the current 543 seats to 850. Of these, 815 seats are proposed to be allocated to states, while 35 would be reserved for Union Territories. The move is linked to the implementation of the reservation policy and the broader delimitation exercise.
However, several leaders of the Opposition parties have raised concerns, particularly regarding the delimitation plan. They have argued that the exercise could disproportionately impact southern states by limiting their representation in the Lok Sabha.
Additionally, Opposition parties have questioned the timing of the bill, alleging that the government is rushing the process ahead of the next general census.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has written a letter to the Chief Ministers of four southern states, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Keralam, along with the Union Territory of Puducherry, calling for a unified front against the Centre's proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies.
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