By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, FEB 24, 2021: VICE President Mr M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said that women account for only 14 per cent of the elected representatives in the Lok Sabha and called upon political parties to reach a consensus on providing them with due reservation.

Releasing a postal stamp brought out in memory of educationist and social reformer, Ms Eashwari Bai, the Vice President pitched for women representation in local bodies, the Parliament and legislatures.

"The time has come to end the low representation of women, who account for nearly 50 per cent of the population, in Parliament and legislatures," he said.

Mr Naidu noted that although the 17th Lok Sabha has the highest number of women members, 78, they account for only 14 per cent of the total number.

Pointing out that reservations for women in the local bodies have politically empowered them, he said there was a need for gender-based reservations in the State and national level too.

Touching on the disruptive behaviour during meaningful discussions and debates in the legislatures and Parliament, Mr Naidu called upon all parliamentarians and other public representatives to raise their standards.

"I call upon all our parliamentarians and other public representatives to raise the standards of debate in every forum. The mantra for a healthy democracy is-- discuss, debate and decide and not disrupt. Agree to disagree and be tolerant of the mandate of the people," the Vice President said.

He emphasized that it is the responsibility of both the ruling and opposition parties to ensure the effective functioning of our elected bodies and to agree on matters of national importance like security, eliminating corruption and ensuring social justice. There should be consensus on reforms to accelerate development, eliminate delays, diversions and dilutions in the delivery of schemes and reaching out benefits to the needy.

"Similarly, all political parties must speak in one voice on empowering people, promoting transparency and accountability in the system," he said.

"I would also urge all political parties to evolve a code of conduct for their members, particularly public representatives," he added.