"After a 14 year hiatus, finally women have got their due."
This I heard as soon as the women 'Empowerment' Bill got through the Rajya sabha. And then, a long session of debate presided the whole process .....
As if, my collegues were unpleased over the passage of the Bill minus- debate in the Elder's House- as it is fondly called. Though, the scenes, on the day the bill was introduced, depicted some other story.
As if, my collegues were unpleased over the passage of the Bill minus- debate in the Elder's House- as it is fondly called. Though, the scenes, on the day the bill was introduced, depicted some other story.
Let me not get into the ethics of proceedings of the Parliament- both the houses included. It's not worth teaching the Guardians of our democracy.
My collegues, kept themselves busy with their approach on the Bill.
My collegues, kept themselves busy with their approach on the Bill.
The debate was still on..... and it was something we all missed by our Elders.
However, the debate on the Bill started with a misnomer" -Women Reservation Bill"... Had they said Empowerment, I'd have been more pleased, however.
First party's response was the bill should have been passed.
second party's idea was it shan't have been.
For any debate, two-party system is necessary- first supportive and the other dissident or the vice-versa.
The first and only requirement to start the debate was fulfilled. The other requirement to lead it to a meaningful conclusion was, however, absent.
For almost 2 hrs the debate continued- with each party pressing their point emphatically. And I kept on enjoying the ongoing 'battle of the warriors'.
During the whole debate the idea I found missing was the future of the Bill.
As the bill has been passed by the upper house, in due course it will also get through the lower- may be with some more high intensity performances.
What will happen next?
The bill is to provide a fair share to the 'under-priviledged'- as is talked about and being projected by the government.
But is it really so?
According to the Bill, 33% seats will be reserved for women.The first question struck to mind is, which seats? Not decided yet? But, It will be decided by a panel...
Fine........
Again the Bill says, the elected woman candidate will have to vacate the seat after 5 yrs
(the rotation formula provides) - for the government continues to complete its full tenure....
(the rotation formula provides) - for the government continues to complete its full tenure....
Here it can be asked,Will it not ENCOURAGE CORRUPTION AMONG THE POLITICIANS( both genders included). As the male candidate also fear losing their seat to the reserved category, in the next election.
The situation now is worse, what will happen if the leaders get to know about their fate earlier. Will they work to secure their position in the next election....
Most of them will seek to amass 'wealth' as much as they can.
Their thirst, however, is unquencheable.
Their thirst, however, is unquencheable.
These questions repeatedly came to my mind and I seek to clear the haze...
The Bill indeed is necessary and one whose time has arrived... But it needs certain changes...!
The most important work it will do is to reduce the spectre of the regional parties and once again bring the national parties in the fore front.. which is good in some way and in some ways it will increase the regional disparities and anchor the smooth sailing of the central parties.
What an innovative way to cater the increasing threat of the regional parties.
