Background of the 106th Amendment Act

On December 9, 1946, the Constituent Assembly of India met for the first time in what is now called the Central Hall of the Old Parliament House. Surprisingly, Sarojini Naidu was the only woman present at all times and sat in the first row facing the presidential dais. Women’s quotas were previously addressed in 1996, 1997, and 1998, but due to the dissolution of the Lok Sabha and the lack of agreement among political parties, the matter could not be advanced further. Concern over women’s underrepresentation in legislative bodies has grown in the last several decades, even though women make up over half of the world’s population.

Achieving quick economic progress is greatly limited by this democratic deficit. As such, it is more and more necessary to give this matter top priority in order to strengthen a political decision-making process that is inclusive, responsive, accountable, participatory, and equitable. Modern Indian culture needs to put the Women’s Reservation Bill, also known as the Constitution 108th Amendment Bill of 2008, into effect.

106th Amendment Act: Women’s Reservation Bill

The 106th Amendment Act is also known as the Women’s Reservation Bill, of 2023. It was presented in the Lok Sabha on September 19, 2023, during the Parliamentary special session. The act aims to provide women with thirty-three percent of the seats in the directly elected Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. On September 20, the Lok Sabha passed the bill with 454 votes in favor and 2 against. With 214 votes in favor and 0 against, the Rajya Sabha passed the bill on September 21, 2023. This article will look into the 106th Amendment Act of the Indian Constitution, including its provisions, implementation, and criticism.

Table of Content

  • Background of the 106th Amendment Act
  • Provisions of the 106th Amendment Act
  • Implementation of the 106th Amendment Act
  • Parliamentary Discussions on the 106th Amendment Act
  • Criticism of the 106th Amendment Act
  • Questions and Answers on 106th Amendment Act

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Background of the 106th Amendment Act

On December 9, 1946, the Constituent Assembly of India met for the first time in what is now called the Central Hall of the Old Parliament House. Surprisingly, Sarojini Naidu was the only woman present at all times and sat in the first row facing the presidential dais. Women’s quotas were previously addressed in 1996, 1997, and 1998, but due to the dissolution of the Lok Sabha and the lack of agreement among political parties, the matter could not be advanced further. Concern over women’s underrepresentation in legislative bodies has grown in the last several decades, even though women make up over half of the world’s population....

Provisions of the 106th Amendment Act

The following are the provisions of the 106th Amendment Act:...

Implementation of the 106th Amendment Act

The reservation was intended to go into effect following the publication of a new census and the conclusion of the delimitation process. Following the elections, a census would be conducted in order to put the women’s reservation bill into effect, Union Home Minister Shah stated in the House. He also dismissed concerns about a potential delay in the bill’s execution, stating that the delimitation will be implemented by the incoming administration shortly after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections....

Parliamentary Discussions on the 106th Amendment Act

The following explains the parliamentary discussions on the 106th Amendment Act in detail:...

Criticism of the 106th Amendment Act

The critics argue that limiting the number of seats to women will favor educated, urban women at the expense of poor rural women from lower castes. However, supporters of the bill say that patriarchal concerns about women losing power if they are given a sufficient number of seats are the driving force behind these leaders of political parties’ opposition....

Conclusion

The Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023, or the 106th Amendment Act, seeks to give women thirty-three percent of the seats in state legislative assemblies and the directly elected Lok Sabha. With 454 votes in favor and 2 against in the Lok Sabha and 214 votes in favor and 0 against in the Rajya Sabha, the measure was approved. The amendment provides for the reservation of seats for women in the House of People, the Delhi Legislative Assembly, and the legislative assemblies of all states. After the delimitation procedure is finished and a new census is conducted, the bill is anticipated to be put into effect. Opponents argue that limiting the number of seats to women will disadvantage impoverished rural women from lower castes and instead benefit educated, metropolitan women....

Questions and Answers on 106th Amendment Act

1. What is 106th Amendment Act of Indian Constitution?...