Maharashtra Council approves 50 pc women''s reservation Bill

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Mumbai, Apr 19 : Maharashtra Legislative Council today unanimously passed the historic Bill providing 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayats and Zilla Parishads.
The amendment to the Bombay Village Panchayats Act, 1958 and Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samiti Act, 1961 facilitates enhancing reservation from one third of the total seats to 50 per cent as members of the Village Panchayats and Panchayat samitis, Councillors of the Zilla Parishads and offices of Sarpanch and President of the Zilla Parishads and Chairpersons of the Panchayat Samitis.
"I appreciate the positive response (to the Bill) from the members of the House," Minister of State for Urban Development Bhaskar Jadhav said in the Upper House.
The Bill, passed by the Assembly last week, would now be sent to the Governor for final approval.
Appreciating the Bill, Neelam Gorhe (Shiv Sena) said women in politics need training to secure their position in future.
"There is a lot of discrimination against women and they need to be protected by law," she added.
Dipti Choudhari (Congress) said besides laws, the people''s mentality should also change to ensure equal status for women in politics.
"Women have better understanding of social issues than men and the 50 per cent reservation will give them opportunity to deal with these issues," said Vidya Chavan (NCP).
Usha Darade (NCP) criticised male perceptions about women in the society. "The reservation in politics would pave the way for women them to explore things on their own."