Centre decides to reserve 50% quota for Women in Panchayats

New Delhi: The Union Government has decided to reserve 50% quota for women in all rural Panchayats. A bill mooting this idea, is likely to be introduced in the winter session of the Parliament. The Union Cabinet has approved the amendment of Article 243 D of the Constitution, which will seek to reserve 50% of total number of seats in Panchayats for women.

The decision was confirmed by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni, who attended the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The political parties are yet to move ahead on the issue of 33% quota for women in Parliament and state assemblies.