Giant leap for women empowerment: PM
For the better half: ‘Legislation not against minorities, backward communities’
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday described the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha as a “giant step in the empowerment of women in India.” He also clarified that the legislation was not against the interests of minorities and backward communities.
Participating in the debate on the Bill in the Upper House, Singh said the Bill was a “celebration of India’s regard and respect for womanhood.”
The prime minister said even though the debate has been acrimonious, he was happy that it finally got passed. If the end is good, nobody asks about the beginning,” he said.
“This is a momentous milestone in the journey of empowering the women of India. This process began with the freedom of India. Our leaders had the vision to grant an equal right to vote to both men and women,” he said. “More steps are needed to help them.”
The prime minister tendered an apology to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari for the “disrespect” shown by certain MPs who were opposed to the Bill. 
“I owe you a profound apology for the disrespect shown to you. These things should never have happened. They have happened, and we have to reflect how to we can streamline our functioning in future so that these things don't take place,” he said.
BJP leader Arun Jaitley, who led the debate, announced his party’s support for the Bill.
“We are going to make a history by passing this Bill. I support this law but also condemn what has happened in the House today. Those opposing the Bill should also be given a chance to vote against this Bill,” he said while concluding his speech.
Supporting the provision of rotation, the Leader of the Opposition said it would ensure that in the 15-year period each constituency would send, at least once, a woman representative to Parliament. The life of the amendment is 15 years.
“Time has come to act and act boldly,” Law Minister Veerappa Moily said. Sub-quotas will not be possible as there is not adequate data, for there was no caste-based census since 1931. “Determination of seats will be decided by a separate law just like delimitation,” he added.
