Jaipur, Apr 15 (PTI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Wednesday termed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam a historic step that will ensure 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies and said this will significantly enhance their participation in politics.
Addressing a programme organised to discuss the Adhiniyam (more commonly known as the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023), Sharma said that introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Act will strengthen democratic inclusivity and enable women to play a decisive role in governance and policymaking.
“The Act will ensure women have a stronger voice in governance and contribute more actively to nation-building,” he said. Sharma said it aligns with the vision of a developed India where women are central to progress, and urged them to support the initiative.
Highlighting the role of women in society, he said true progress is possible only when women participate equally across sectors, noting their growing presence in areas such as education, start-ups, sports, policing and science.
He said that schemes such as Jan Dhan Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Ujjwala Yojana have improved financial inclusion and living standards for women, while initiatives like Lakhpati Didi and Namo Drone Didi have strengthened economic independence.
Sharma said that more than 16 lakh women have become “Lakhpati Didis” in the state. Lakhpati Didis are women members of self-help groups who earn an annual household income of Rs 1 lakh or more under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission.
On women’s safety, he said the deployment of Kalika patrol units and anti-Romeo squads has led to a decline in crimes against women, along with initiatives to improve education and mobility for girls.
Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari said the Act would bring about a major social transformation by ensuring women’s representation in legislative bodies and making them integral to policymaking.
The remarks come a day before the start of the special session of Parliament to discuss an amendment to the Adhiniyam along with two other bills, seeking to implement the Women’s Reservation Act before the 2029 parliamentary polls and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 with 273 reserved for women. PTI SDA PRK
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