New Delhi, November 24: The government today sought to increase the representation of women in urban local bodies by providing 50 per cent reservation to them instead of the existing 33 per cent.
Introducing the Constitution (One Hundred and Twelfth Amendment) Bill, 2009, in the Lok Sabha, Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy said enhancement of reservation for women in Urban Local Bodies would ensure their increased representation and participation.
“It will also mainstream gender concerns in governance and decision making process, particularly, those related to women’s issues such as water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, health and education. This is only desirable since women constitute nearly half of the population,” he said.
Parliament had in its earlier session passed a similar bill to increase women’s reservation in rural local bodies to 50 per cent instead of the existing 33 per cent.
–PTI