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Calling the Special Session of Parliament, which was adjourned sine die on Thursday following the passage of the women's reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha, as historic, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the draft legislation willenable a fairer representation of 'Nari Shakti' in legislative bodies.
Speaking to ANI in the new Parliament complex following the passage of the Bill on Thursday, Rijiju, who formerly headed the Law ministry, said, "This is historic. The entire special Parliament session was historic. I wish to thankPrime Minister Narendra Modi (for the passage of the women's quota Bill)." The Rajya Sabha passed the womens reservation bill, aptly titled Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, unanimously on Thursday, with 214 members voting in support and none against. Following the passage of the Bill, which provides for 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. 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. Later, both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die. Earlier, on Wednesday, the Bill aced the legislative test in the Lok Sabha as it was passed by a brute majority of 454 votes in favour and just 2 against. 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 Modi urged 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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