BJD To Propose 33% Quota For Women During Parliament Session

Bhubaneswar: The BJD has decided to put up a proposal on 33 per cent seat reservation for women in state assemblies and Parliament during the winter session of Parliament scheduled to begin in the second week of December.

On this issue, BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has called for a meeting of the party MPs at Naveen Niwas here on December 9.

The ruling party, in a meeting, presided over by Naveen on Wednesday had decided to consult national and regional parties for implementation of the proposal.

It was decided that a delegation of BJD leaders will meet the leaders of seven national parties and 15 regional parties and discuss the proposal.

The Chief Minister, during the winter session of the state assembly on November 20, had appealed to members to unanimously adopt a resolution for providing 33 per cent seat reservation for women in legislative assemblies and Parliament.

Initiating a discussion through a motion in the House, he had said that no household, society, state and country has ever moved forward without empowering its women.

Stating that the principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Constitution, Naveen said the former Chief Minister and legendary leader Biju Patnaik was a true champion of women’s empowerment who, in 1992, had brought women to the realm of political decision-making by providing 33 per cent reservation for them in the local bodies.

Maintaining that the new Odisha will move forward with much greater momentum if women have a role in the highest decision-making bodies of the state and the country, the Chief Minister said the state must show its commitment and resolve to the entire nation that it is the land where women are truly empowered and involved in nation-building.

While appealing to the members to unanimously adopt the resolution, he said the state government, after passing the resolution in the State Assembly, will send it to the Centre for approval.