No dilution of Women's Reservation Bill: Govt

The Government has ruled out any dilution of the proposed 33 per cent quota for women in state legislatures and Parliament to take some of the opponents of Women's Reservation Bill on board.
"There is no question of dilution," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal told reporters, adding that the question "is hypothetical". He was responding to questions on the disclosure made by Samajwadi Party leader MulayamSingh Yadav in the Lok Sabha on Monday that the Congress had scuttled a compromise formula envisaging 20 per cent quota during the NDA's rule.Regarding any move for a consensus on the Bill, Bansal said the Government would endeavour for a consensus on every issue. As far as the Women's Reservation Bill was concerned, it was before the Standing Committee. He refused to commit himself to any time-frame saying, "We would await the report of the committee."Though the Government had pledged itself to an "early passage" of the Bill in the Presidential address, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had avoided anyreference to it while responding to the debate that followed. JD (U) president Sharad Yadav, SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and former UP chief minister Kalyan Singh had registered their strong opposition to the Bill.ansal said the Budget session of Parliament would commence either towards the end of this month or the beginning of the next month. This would be without the customary Presidental address. Nor would the Budget go to committees. The presentation of budget would be followed by a general discussion. Regarding the Insurance and Banking Bills, Bansal said both had lapsed.Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prithviraj Chavan said in reply to a question that an amendment to the Atomic Energy Act needed a "political decision". The issues which had to be resolved included a regulatory arrangement and private participation.