New Delh, 12-12-2023 : The Lok Sabha, on Tuesday, approved two significant bills extending the provisions of the women’s reservation law to the legislative assemblies of the Union Territories of Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir. Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, emphasized that these bills, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill and the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, aim to enhance women’s representation and participation in the legislative processes of these two territories. Rai criticized the historical injustices against women, asserting that the new measures signify a positive shift, especially post the revocation of Article 370.
The bills intend to provide women with one-third reservation in the legislative assemblies of Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry, respectively. Additionally, Rai highlighted the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, citing examples of increased widow pension coverage and gender budgeting in Puducherry. The bills align with the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, commonly known as the women’s reservation law, which mandates 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. However, the effective implementation awaits the outcome of the next census and the subsequent delimitation exercise to determine the specific constituencies earmarked for women. The reserved quota for women in these assemblies will persist for 15 years, with the possibility of extension by Parliament in the future.