“Historic leap for our nation,” says Amit Shah as Lok Sabha passes 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam'

New Delhi [India], September 20 : Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Women’s Reservation Bill which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lower House of the Parliament and state assemblies, Union Minister Amit Shah said that the Bill will foster equitable and gender-inclusive development in the country.
In a post on X, the Union Minister said that the Bill reiterates the commitment of the Central government to women-led governance.
Terming the passage of the Bill a ‘historic leap’, Amit Shah said, “It is a historic leap for our nation as the Lok Sabha passes the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' today. The bill envisaged by PM @narendramodi Ji will not only script a new chapter in the history of women's empowerment but also foster equitable and gender-inclusive development in our nation. It yet again reiterates the Modi government's commitment to women-led governance.”
The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, was passed in the Lok Sabha after a reply by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.
The Bill was passed following division with 454 members voting in favour of the legislation and two against it on the motion for the passage moved by Meghwal. The amendments moved by opposition members were negatived and there was also voting on clauses of the bill.
Speaker Om Birla announced that the Bill had been passed.
The 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' is the first bill passed by Lok Sabha after it shifted to the new Parliament building on Tuesday.
The bill was passed by a majority of the total membership of the House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the House “present and voting”.
The division was carried out through the distribution of slips.
Meghwal said “history” was being made with the passage of the bill.
Rejecting the opposition’s criticism about the delay in the implementation of provisions of the Bill, Meghwal said that the bill ensures transparency. The bill was passed after a day-long debate which was initiated by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.
Intervening in the debate, Home Minister Amit Shah also rejected the opposition’s contention and said the bill will follow due procedure and seats which are to be reserved will be decided by the Delimitation Commission.
Several opposition members including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that caste census and delimitation are not required for implementing the Women’s Reservation Bill and it should come into force soon after it is passed by Parliament.
The bill is expected to be taken up by the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.