Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Thursday informed the Rajya Sabha that the women’s reservation Bill requires “careful consideration” on the basis of consensus among all political parties before it is brought to Parliament.
In a written reply to a question, Mr. Meghwal said the Union government is committed to gender justice. “The issue needs careful consideration on the basis of consensus among all political parties before a Bill for amendment in the Constitution is brought before Parliament,” the Law Minister said.
The women’s reservation Bill or the Constitution (108th Amendment) Bill, which proposes 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, was passed in March 2010 in the Rajya Sabha amid high drama but the 15th Lok Sabha could not pass the Bill.
Also read: Explained | On reservation for women in politics
1.95 lakh cases pending
In response to another written question regarding disposal of cases by fast-track special courts (FTSC), Mr. Meghwal told the Rajya Sabha that they had disposed of 1.69 lakh cases while over 1.95 lakh remain pending.
“As per information made available by the High Courts, 758 FTSCs, including 412 exclusive POCSO [Protection of Children from Sexual Offences] courts, are functional in 29 States and Union Territories, which have disposed of more than 1,69,000 cases, while 1,95,797 cases are pending in these courts as on May 31, 2023,” he said.
“Among these, exclusive POCSO courts have disposed of more than 1,08,000 cases while more than 1,30,000 cases remain pending,” the Minister added.
