New Delhi: A crucial three-day special session of Parliament kicks off today, setting the stage for landmark reforms as the Centre moves to introduce the much-anticipated Women’s Reservation Bill along with key delimitation proposals.
With an eye on the 2029 general elections, the government is preparing to table a constitutional amendment in the Lok Sabha aimed at ensuring greater political representation for women across the country.
The debate promises to be intense, with 18 hours allocated in the Lok Sabha and 16 hours in the Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the House on the opening day, adding weight to the significance of the session.
The government will introduce three major bills during the April 16–18 session: the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, the Delimitation Bill, and amendments concerning Union Territories. These proposals aim to redraw parliamentary and विधानसभा constituencies based on population data from the 2011 Census.
A key highlight of the reform is the proposal to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women, including those from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. If implemented, the strength of the Lok Sabha could rise to 850 members, with women’s representation increasing to 284 seats.
The reservation will be applied through a rotation system and is set to remain in force for 15 years, marking a transformative step toward gender equality in Indian politics.
As Parliament convenes, all eyes are on the debate that could reshape the country’s democratic landscape for decades to come.
