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After the long-desired and promised women's reservation Bill finally saw the light of day, following its passage in both Houses of Parliament, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday said the historic piece of legislation will bring about a much-needed change to "modern-day leadership".
A day after it was cleared in the Lok Sabha by near-unanimity, the Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Bill, aptly titled 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', by an absolute majority with 214 members voting in support of the draft legislation and none against. The Union Minister added that the significant increase in the representation of women in legislative bodies, including the Parliament,will help the government to proactively address issues and challenges pertaining to 'Nari Shakti' and empower women like never before. Taking to his official handle on social media platform X, Joshi posted, "Under the leadership of PM @narendramodiJi, #WomenReservationBill has passed in Rajya Sabha. Women's reservation will bring about a much-needed change in modern-day leadership. Significant representation of women will help the government to proactively address the issues and challenges related to Nari Shakti and empower them like never before. I congratulate the entire nation for coming together to pass this historic Bill." Following the passage of the Bill, which provides 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha as well as the state legislative assemblies, both Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die. Meanwhile, chants of 'Modi Modi' were raised by women MPs as they took turns to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the passage of the draft legislation. Women members from both Houses of Parliament, including PT Usha, and Union Ministers Meenakashi Lekhi and Smriti Irani, were all smiles as they presented a bouquet to Prime Minister Modi on the historic passage of the Bill in Parliament. Lok Sabha passed the Bill on Wednesday in the Parliament's Special Session with 454 members voting in favour of the legislation and two against it. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal gave a brief reply to the day-long debate on the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the upper House of Parliament and said it will be implemented after following due process. Ahead of the voting,PM Modiurged the Rajya Sabha members to pass the Bill unanimously. He said the Bill will lead to a new confidence in the people of the country. All members and political parties have played a significant role in empowering women and enhancing 'Nari Shakti'. Let us give the country a strong message," he said. The Rajya Sabha had earlier passed the Womens Reservation Bill in 2010 during the Congress-led UPA government but it was not taken up in the Lok Sabha and subsequently lapsed in the lower House of Parliament. (ANI)
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