New Delhi, April 6 (NationPress) A new political discussion has surfaced regarding the execution of the Women’s Reservation Bill following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement that the Budget Session of Parliament has been prolonged to aid its implementation. The legislation, passed in 2023, mandates a 33 percent reservation for women in legislative bodies, but its activation is presently contingent upon delimitation and is anticipated to be effective by 2029.

On Monday, leaders from Shiv Sena and Shiv Sena (UBT) endorsed the initiative, urging the government to hasten its execution. Opposition parties, including Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, however, expressed concerns over the delays and sought clarification on the timelines.

In an interview with IANS, Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC commended the government's intentions, asserting that the Prime Minister has shown commitment towards the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

“This is not just a symbolic action. For many years, women have frequently been nominated as substitutes. Authentic representation is crucial, and all parties need to step up to guarantee its successful execution,” she remarked.

Stressing the need for greater involvement, she pointed out that nearly 50 percent of the electorate are women, and their representation in Parliament and state Assemblies must significantly increase. She also highlighted the necessity of confronting the deeply rooted male-centric attitudes in politics.

RLD leader Upendra Kushwaha mentioned that the concept of women’s reservation has historically received bipartisan support.

“Although differing opinions exist regarding its implementation, there is a general agreement that women should be allotted reservations,” he stated.

Similarly, BJD Rajya Sabha MP Sulata Deo characterized women's reservation as a long-overdue demand.

“Women MPs have been consistently advocating for this Bill, which has garnered unanimous backing from them. Women already possess 33 percent representation in panchayats and urban local bodies, so the focus must now shift to efficient implementation of the law,” she emphasized.

However, members of the opposition raised alarms regarding the delay and the conditions tied to its execution.

Congress spokesperson Udit Raj raised procedural issues, noting that delimitation cannot proceed without a Census.

“If the government was earnest, it could have conducted the Census earlier. Without it, delimitation is unfeasible. The government needs to clarify its plan for moving forward,” he asserted.

Congress leader Ajay Kumar Lallu also questioned whether provisions for OBC women would be included in the reservation framework. “This is a critical topic that warrants discussion. The government must clarify its stance,” he stated.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi emphasized that the Bill, which was previously passed, should have been executed immediately.

“It was linked to the Census, which will take time, postponing implementation until 2029. The government now seems to be addressing the flaws in the earlier version. Although I support the Bill, it should be put into action sooner,” she remarked.

RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha was more critical, questioning the delay.

“Was this not approved earlier? Will there be accountability for the 30-month delay? We had advocated for a ‘quota within quota’ provision. The worry persists that policy decisions are being influenced by optics rather than genuine substance,” he criticized.

The Women’s Reservation Act signifies a crucial advancement toward improving political representation for women in India.