Indore, September 26 : Union Minister Kaushal Kishore asserted on Tuesday that women across the country are growing increasingly frustrated with the Congress and other opposition parties for characterizing the women’s reservation bill as a mere “jumla” (gimmick). He also mentioned that this legislation will come into effect in 2029, following the completion of census and delimitation processes.
The bill, which aims to reserve one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, received parliamentary approval last week. Officially known as the 128th Constitution Amendment Bill or the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, its implementation is contingent upon the completion of a delimitation exercise that will redraw parliamentary and assembly constituencies based on the forthcoming census, which the government plans to conduct next year.
When questioned about the opposition’s claims that the women’s reservation bill was merely a political gimmick, Kishore responded, “The Congress and other opposition parties may consider it a gimmick, but that’s their perspective. Women across the country are growing increasingly frustrated with such statements from opposition parties.”
Kishore further emphasized that women in the country stand firmly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on the issue of the bill. He noted that women are celebrating the bill’s passage in Parliament.
He reiterated that the legislation will be enacted in 2029, following the successful completion of the census and delimitation exercises.
Kishore made these remarks while inaugurating the exhibition of the ‘India Smart Cities Conclave 2023’ in Indore. According to officials, the exhibition showcases projects that were recognized in the ‘India Smart Cities Awards Contest 2022’.
On the second day of the event, President Droupadi Murmu is expected to present awards to states, cities, and partner organizations associated with these projects. Indore, the host of the event, has been adjudged the best among 100 smart cities in the country.
Officials stated that more than 6,000 projects, valued at over Rs 1.1 lakh crore, have already been completed under the Smart City initiative launched in 2015, with nearly 2,000 remaining projects targeted for completion by June 30, 2024.
