wfn.org | National Council of Churches in India - Women's Reservation

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

The National Council of Churches in India
NCCI New Delhi Office: 2744, Ranjit Nagar, New Delhi  110 008 Tel & Fax: 
011-25891263, Email: nccidel@bol.net.in

PRESS RELEASE

Men, Stand up and be Counted

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

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News letter : N C C India