June 16, 2003

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) deeply regrets the inability of Parliament to adopt the Womens Reservation (Amendment) Bill for the fourth time on May 6th, 2003. Inspite of approval from all the major Opposition parties the Bill has failed to find acceptance where it was most needed on the floor of the House. Since May 7th, political parties are once again talking of consensus with alternative formulas. Here the All-Party meeting to be convened by the Hon. Speaker on June 16th assumes greater significance. It can be a forum where serious concerns like those of the quotas within the Womens quota, rotation of constituencies and the Election Commissions recommendation to allow political parties the right to nominate women - about which NCCI and a majority of Womens Organizations have serious reservations - can be discussed once again.

The NCCI strongly recommends that the NDA Government use its majority to introduce and adopt this Bill in the coming Monsoon Session.Otherwise it would be seen as abdicating its sacred responsibility, not only to women, but to all concerned citizens of Indias democracy.

Dr. Ipe Joseph Fr.Philip Kuruvilla
General Secretary, NCCI
June 16, 2003
New Delhi

NCCI - National Council of Churches in India