New Delhi, April 4 (NationPress) On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed that the government will prolong the current Budget Session of Parliament by three days—April 16, 17, and 18—to expedite the implementation of a 33 per cent reservation for women in both the Lok Sabha and state legislative Assemblies, aiming for it to take effect from the 2029 general elections.

In a compelling address focused on women’s empowerment, PM Modi emphasized his administration's commitment to enacting the “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam”, designed to allocate one-third of seats for women in legislative bodies.

“We aspire for 33 per cent of the parliamentary seats to be held by our sisters starting with the 2029 Lok Sabha elections,” he stated.

The Prime Minister indicated that the special session would concentrate on establishing the necessary provisions, including both statutory and constitutional measures, to ensure the quota's effectiveness. He outlined two primary goals for the three-day meeting.

First, to assure that no state will lose Lok Sabha seats as a result of population control initiatives. He acknowledged concerns from southern states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Goa, which have excelled in family planning and fear a decrease in representation.

Second, the government is contemplating the creation of additional seats specifically reserved for women, which would boost the total number of Lok Sabha and state Assembly seats. This approach, he suggested, would help maintain existing representation while also creating more opportunities for women.

PM Modi called for unanimous support from all political factions, urging the Congress and other Opposition members, including those from the INDIA coalition, to contribute positively.

“The rights of our mothers and sisters have been pending for nearly 40 years. They should not face further delays before the 2029 elections,” he asserted.

He also encouraged women across the nation to advocate for the swift passage of the legislation without political hindrances.

The Prime Minister stated that essential amendments would be introduced to ensure timely implementation of the law ahead of the upcoming general elections. He characterized this initiative as crucial for advancing Nari Shakti and enhancing inclusive development.

This announcement follows the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill during a special Parliament session in September 2023. Previously, its implementation was contingent upon the completion of the Census and a subsequent delimitation process.

The proposed modifications aim to accelerate the quota's execution, preventing unnecessary delays. Additionally, increasing the total number of seats is being considered to guarantee that no sitting MP faces adverse effects while expanding women’s representation.

The special session is expected to spark comprehensive discussions, with the Opposition likely to address issues such as sub-quotas for OBC women and broader delimitation concerns.

If achieved with consensus, the three-day session could signify a pivotal advancement in enhancing women’s representation within India’s legislative framework.