Centre defers two contentious bills to secure regional parties' backing for women's quota and delimitation
A meeting of the Joint Committee on the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, another contentious piece of legislation, scheduled for Monday has been cancelled. The meeting was expected to adopt the report on the bill.
This development comes a day after the Joint Committee of Parliament deferred the adoption of the report on the 130th Constitution Amendment Bill, which seeks to remove ministers arrested for serious offences for 30 consecutive days. Sources indicated that the proposed legislation for both bills has been deferred in order to ensure the support of regional and small parties for advancing the rollout of the women's reservation law and the delimitation bill.
The women's reservation law, officially known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, was passed in 2023 and reserves one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women. However, its implementation is contingent upon the completion of delimitation, the process of redrawing constituency boundaries based on the next census. Many regional parties have expressed concerns that delimitation could disproportionately benefit larger states and alter political representation.
The 130th Constitution Amendment Bill, if passed, would require ministers to be removed from office if they are arrested for serious offences for 30 consecutive days. The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill aims to establish a new regulatory framework for higher education. Both bills have been controversial, with opposition parties raising objections over their potential impact on federalism and executive accountability.
By deferring these bills, the central government is reportedly seeking to build a broader consensus among regional parties, whose support is crucial for the passage of the women's reservation law and the delimitation exercise. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, 'The government is engaging with all stakeholders to ensure that these important reforms receive widespread backing.'
The cancellation of the Joint Committee meeting and the deferral of the report adoption indicate a strategic pause by the Centre to navigate the complex political landscape. Analysts suggest that the government's move underscores the delicate balancing act required to push through significant constitutional amendments while managing coalition dynamics.
