‘We will ensure 50% quota for women in local govt bodies’

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said the government would ensure, in its first 100 days in power, that women get 50 per cent reservation in local self-government bodies.

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said the government would ensure, in its first 100 days in power, that women get 50 per cent reservation in local self-government bodies.

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Pawar was speaking at the inauguration of the Morbe dam pipeline and three sewage treatment plants (STP) in Navi Mumbai.

The Rs 200-crore pipeline will ensure 24-hour water supply to the city while the three STPs will recycle sewage water for use in gardens, industries and construction.

Speaking on the occasion, Pawar said that the 33 per cent reservation for women in the state assemblies and Parliament will also be a reality soon.

“In the programme we have charted for the United Progressive Alliance’s (UPA) 100-day tenure, we will ensure that gram panchayats, panchayat samitis, zilla parishads, municipal councils and municipal corporations in the country, have 50 per cent of seats reserved for women,” he said.

On the women’s reservation bill in Parliament, he said: “The bill has already been introduced earlier. We will now ensure that the 33 per cent reservation Bill is passed.”

Pawar said: “In Parliament decisions are taken by a majority as unanimity is not always possible. We will however, keep both options open.”

“We will talk to the parties to evolve a consensus. If it doesn’t work, we will get it passed by a majority vote.”

Pawar added that in the state Assembly elections, the government would not be able to implement the reservation, as the procedure would take time.