Parliament passes women's reservation bill

New Delhi: Parliament approved a bill for reserving one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women with the Rajya Sabha unanimously clearing it on Thursday. All 214 MPs present in the House voted in favour of it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the MPs for supporting the legislation. Just before the House took up voting on the bill, Modi said a constructive approach of all political parties to this bill will reinvigorate the Nari Shakti.

Once more women assume leadership roles and join the nation-building process, he said, adding they will become a guarantee of the country's bright future.

The Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill -- Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam -- was moved in Rajya Sabha by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. It was the first bill taken up by Parliament after its proceedings during a special session moved to the new building.

According to the bill, it will come into effect after the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies which will be carried out after the completion of the next population census.

At present, women make up for nearly half of India's 95 crore registered voters but account for only 15 per cent of lawmakers in Parliament and 10 per cent in the state assemblies.