MP cabinet announces events under 'Nari Shakti Vandan' fortnight

Bhopal, April 13 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet has warmly welcomed the Centre’s decision to convene a special three-day Parliament session from April 16 to 18, to introduce and pass a Constitutional Amendment Bill aimed at implementing the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' (Women’s Reservation Act) from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. 

Addressing the media after Monday’s Cabinet meeting, Minister Narendra Shivaji Patel said the state government has extended its felicitations and profound gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking this historic step towards women’s empowerment. “The special session called by the Prime Minister will amend certain provisions of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, to ensure that 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies becomes effective from the 2029 general elections,” Patel stated.

He added that the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for convening this special parliamentary session dedicated to securing one-third representation for women in legislative bodies.

To mark this landmark occasion and spread awareness about women’s political empowerment, the Madhya Pradesh government has declared the period from April 10 to April 25 as the Nari Shakti Vandan Fortnight.

During this fortnight, large-scale 'Nari Shakti Vandan Conferences' and 'Nari Shakti Padayatras' (women’s empowerment marches) are being organised across the state.

Additionally, numerous state-level programmes related to Nari Shakti Vandan will be held in all colleges. “These programmes will express the gratitude of the people of Madhya Pradesh to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ensure that the message of the Government of India’s strong commitment to women’s empowerment reaches every citizen,” Patel emphasised.

The original Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, passed in 2023, provided for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and the Delhi Assembly, including seats reserved for SCs and STs. However, its implementation was linked to the completion of the next Census and delimitation exercise. The proposed amendments aim to fast-track the process so that women can benefit from the quota starting with the 2029 polls.

--IANS

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