NEW DELHI, Apr 16: In a significant political development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing gender equality as a three day special session of the Parliament of India commenced.
Ahead of the proceedings, the Prime Minister highlighted that the nation stands at the threshold of a transformative step aimed at strengthening the role of women in governance. Emphasizing respect and dignity for women as foundational to national progress, he stated that the government is firmly dedicated to translating this vision into policy action.
The session is expected to focus on amendments related to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, paving the way for its implementation by 2029. The proposed changes aim to expand the current strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 seats to a maximum of 850, facilitating the inclusion of one-third reservation for women.
According to the proposed framework, similar provisions will be extended to state legislatures and Union Territory assemblies, ensuring broader representation across all levels of governance. The allocation of reserved seats will follow a rotational system across constituencies, maintaining equitable distribution.
The move is linked to a forthcoming delimitation exercise, which will be conducted based on the most recent census data. This restructuring is seen as a crucial step in operationalizing the long-awaited reservation policy.
With this initiative, the government seeks to reshape India’s political landscape by ensuring greater participation of women in decision-making processes, marking a potentially defining moment in the country’s democratic evolution.