Punjab Cabinet Approves Proposal To Hike Women’s Quota To 50 Per Cent

Keeping its poll promise of enhancement of women’s reservation in all civic bodies, the Punjab cabinet yesterday (13 June) approved a proposal seeking the same.

Once passed, this draft bill will ensure women in Punjab have 50 per cent of seats reserved in all panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies, against the current 33 per cent.

This decision was taken at a meeting of cabinet ministers chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday (13 June). It is aimed at empowering women in rural areas by entitling more women to hold positions of power as members of gram panchayats, panchayat samitis and zila parishads.

As reported by the Times of India, the draft bill to amend the Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911, and the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, will be placed in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha budget session.