Image source, fake images
PM Modi to walk towards new building
The Indian government has introduced a landmark bill guaranteeing one-third of seats for women in the lower house of parliament and state assemblies.
The controversial bill, first proposed in 1996, has been on hold for decades amid opposition from some political parties.
Its reactivation occurs months before the general elections of May 2024.
It was launched by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday as MPs gathered for the first session at the country’s new parliament building.
The bill is still far from becoming law: it would require the approval of both houses of parliament and the signature of the Indian president.
In his keynote speech at the new parliament building, Modi praised the proposed legislation and said it was a special moment for the country.
“The world understands that talking only about women-led development is not enough. This is a positive step taken on that front,” she told lawmakers while asking them to support the bill.
The prime minister also attacked the opposition and said that previous governments led by the Congress party had failed to pass the bill when they were in power.
“Women’s reservations have been debated for years. We can proudly say that we have written history,” she said.
He called a five-day special session that began on Monday, but the first day’s session was held in the old parliament building.
Image source, Government of India
The new parliament will have capacity for 1,272 deputies
The process takes place amid criticism from opposition leaders who claim that the government has not revealed all the deals that could arise during the week.
According to the government, eight bills will be debated during the session, but the agenda could be modified or expanded during the week.
The new parliament building is part of the government’s ambitious Central Vista project in Delhi to replace colonial-era government buildings.
Built opposite the old parliament, the new four-storey building – estimated to cost 9.7 billion rupees ($117 million, £94 million) – is much larger and has the capacity to house 1,272 parliamentarians.
The Lok Sabha chamber, which will house the lower house of parliament, is designed in the image of a peacock, India’s national bird. The Rajya Sabha chamber, which will house the upper house, is designed to resemble the lotus, India’s national flower and also the electoral symbol of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.
The current parliament building will be converted into a museum.
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