The Centre extended the budget session of Parliament by three days. It aims to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Empowerment Act) Amendment Bill. The government wants to roll out the women’s quota law before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Government Moves to Avoid Delay in Implementation

Parliament passed the original Constitution amendment in 2023. However, the law required delimitation and the ongoing census before implementation.

This timeline could delay the rollout until 2034. To avoid this, the government plans to use the 2011 census data. It wants to fast-track the process through this special session.

Key Provisions of Women’s Reservation Bill

The government plans to amend the law during this session. It wants to allow 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies before the 2027 census. The bill also proposes increasing Lok Sabha seats to 816. Out of these, 273 seats will be reserved for women.

If passed, the new system will first apply in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand.

Special Majority Needed to Pass Bill

The bill is a constitutional amendment. It needs a special majority to pass. The bill must get support from a majority of total members. It also needs two-thirds support from members present and voting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked all parties to support the bill.

Opposition Questions Government’s Timing

The Opposition, led by the Congress, has raised concerns. It has questioned the timing and intent of the move. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Modi. He accused the Centre of rushing the process for "political mileage" ahead of elections in four states.

He also said the bill was passed unanimously in 2023. Yet, the government did not implement it earlier.

BJP Issues Whip for MPs

The Bharatiya Janata Party has issued a whip. It has asked all its MPs to attend the session from April 16 to 18. The party has denied leave to all MPs. It issued the order after Modi called for “collective action.”

Speaker Urges Discipline in House

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has urged MPs to maintain decorum. He asked them not to bring posters or banners into the House.

"We have issued a bulletin for this, and I have personally appealed to all Members within Parliament, as well as to all political parties. It was discussed at the Business Advisory Committee meetings too that the use of banners, placards, unparliamentary language, and sloganeering is not befitting of a democracy," Birla said.