Women turn down Sangma's 'quota slashing' suggestion

Women's organisations have rejected Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma's suggestion that quota for women in the Reservation Bill (33 per cent) may be reduced.

"The one-third quota has been recommended by the Parliamentary select committee. There is no scope for any alteration on the issue," they said.

Reiterating their demand for passing the Bill immediately, representative of national organisations said, "Let the Bill be put in Parliament. It can be passed before August 15," they said. "It will be a symbol of the country's commitment for gender justice."

The activists who raised the demand include Brinda Karat of All India Women's Democratic Association, Vimla Farooqui of the National Federation of Indian Women, Parmila Dandavate of the Samajwadi Mahila Sabha, Kumud Sharma of the Centre for Women's Development Studies and Manorma Bawa of the All India Women's Conference.

UNI