The Hindu : Bill brooks no delay, say women groups

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Friday, Mar 07, 2003

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Bill brooks no delay, say women groups

By Our Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI MARCH 6. Several women's organisations have appealed to the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, to put the Women's Reservation Bill, to vote instead of waiting for an `illusionary' consensus. Opposing any alternative suggestions to reserved seats, the organisations have described it as a `diversionary' move to bail out the ruling alliance that has reneged from its pledge to enact the Bill.

In a letter addressed to Ms. Swaraj, the women's groups have said that the bill should be listed for discussion and voting in Parliament as without any such exercise, any move for alternatives is tantamount to scrapping the Reservation Bill and will be considered a betrayal of the solemn pledge made by the Prime Minister. Appreciating the all-party meeting on the issue, women have said that they were clear that no amount of discussion would create a consensus .

"We were puzzled and disturbed by the reports that if there is no consensus on the bill you will seek consensus on alternatives earlier suggested by the Chief Election Commissioner, M.S. Gill," the letter said, adding that they would not settle for anything less than 33 per cent reservation.

Those who have signed the letter include the All-India Democratic Women's Association, Mahila Dakshata Samiti, Joint Women's Programme, National Federation of Indian Women, YMCA of India, Centre for Women's Development Studies, Guild of Service and Women's Initiative for Peace in South-East Asia.

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