India women\'s bill sparks protests in upper house

The Indian government has reintroduced a bill which would reserve a third of all seats in the national parliament and state legislatures for women.

Law Minister Veerappa Moily tabled the bill amid loud protests from opponents.

The bill was first proposed in 1996 but never passed. This time it has the backing of Indias governing Congress and main opposition parties.

At present women make up just 10% of the lower house of parliament, and significantly less in state assemblies.

Gift

The upper house (Rajya Sabha) was adjourned twice as critics shouted down speakers and refused to allow the bills introduction.

The proposals will be debated in the lower house (Lok Sabha) at a later date. An overwhelming majority there support the move.

Smaller socialist parties argue the bill will reduce representation of minorities and socially disadvantaged groups. They want set quotas for women from Muslim and low-caste communities.

Analysts say the bill, which was presented on International Womens Day, is likely to be passed after 14 years of deadlock.

This time round it has the support of the Congress-led UPA alliance, the BJP-led NDA alliance and left-wing parties.

Sonia Gandhi, Congress party president, says she attaches the highest importance to the proposals and passing them would be a gift to the women of India.

She is regarded as the most powerful politician in a country where politics is still largely a male preserve.

There are currently 59 women in the 545-member Lok Sabha. Under the proposals their numbers would rise to 181.

The composition of the 248-seat upper house, which now has 21 women, will not be affected as its members are indirectly elected by state assemblies.

India already reserves a third of local governing council seats in towns and villages for women, a move that is said to have significantly increased their role in decision-making.