Women’s Reservation Bill from a Citizen’s Eyes

So last evening women’s reservation bill fell in Lok Sabha. I cannot say whether it was right or wrong, that’s for politicians and media persons to decide. But as a concerned citizen, I have my own observations.

First, if the one-third of parliamentary and legislature seats are to be reserved for women, why increase seats at all. Simply 181 seats in Lok Sabha could have been flagged for women. When one-third seats in panchayats and urban civic bodies were reserved for women, extra panchayats and urban bodies were not created; reservation was done within the existing ones.

Second, even if number of seats in Lok Sabha is raised in proportion to the seats that are to be reserved for women, what value will that add to Parliamentary proceedings. Probably not more than 100 MPs (and that’s very generous number from my side) actively take part in debates that we get to see. Since the time for debates will remain the same, I don’t think that additional MPs will add any value.

Third, extra MPs means creation of extra mananiyas (whether they are so is a big question) who will eat into our limited resources. There will be a larger crowd of lawmakers competing for privileges and entitlements. They will draw upon public funds for salaries, allowances and perks. The ripple effect will extend further: more official residences, more security arrangements, more staff and more expenditure on travel and protocol. In short, the multiplication of MPs will result in a multiplication of costs, inconveniences and demands on infrastructure, all of which ultimately come from our pockets.

While the opposition will take ‘credit’ for ‘protecting the Constitution’, as it always does, by defeating the bill, the ruling party will ‘discredit’ it for denying women an opportunity for want of which they are ‘disempowered’. Be ready for mudslinging and war of words between the lawmakers and their parties. And watch from the aisle as always.