Women’s quota Bill lapses after dissolution of 14th Lok Sabha

After the dissolution of 14^th Lok Sabha, the Women’s Reservation Bill has lapsed, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies.

This bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2010, and was sent to the Lok Sabha for approval.

This bill was not passed because of lack of political consensus and will.

Under Article 107 (5) of the Constitution, this bill is amongst the 68 other previous government Bills that have lapsed on the dissolution of the 14^th Lok Sabha.

If this NDA government wants to give reservation to women, it will have to come up with a fresh legislation. 

For example- Same way newly formed NDA government did it in the case of the judicial appointments Bill.

Following are the bill which have lapsed after dissolution of 14^th Lok Sabha

1.       Women’s Reservation Bill

2.       Constitutional 117th Amendment Bill providing Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes reservation in government job promotions.

3.       Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2012.

4.       Direct Taxes Code Bill, 2010.

5.       Coal Regulatory Authority Bill, 2013.

6.       Biotechnology Regulatory Authority Bill, 2013.

7.       Rights of Citizens for Time-Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redress of their Grievances Bill, 2011. etc.

When the House of People (Lok Sabha) is dissolved, all business including bills, motions, resolutions, notices, petitions etc lapses.

The position of lapsing of bills is as follows-

1.       A bill pending in Lok Sabha lapses (In this case no matter where the bill has originated in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha it lapses)

2.       A bill passed by Lok Sabha but pending in Rajya Sabha lapses.

The position of lapsing of bills is as follows-

1.       A bill not passed by the two Houses due to disagreement and if President has notified the holding of a joint sitting before dissolution  of Lok Sabha, does not lapse.

2.       A bill pending in Rajya Sabha but not passed by the Lok Sabha does not lapse (In this case the bill originates in Rajya Sabha).

3.       A bill passed by both Houses of the Parliament but pending for assent of the President does not lapse.

4.       A bill passed by both Houses but returned by the President to the Houses for reconsideration does not lapse.

Article 107 (5) of the Constitution states:

A Bill which is pending in the House of People (Lok Sabha) or which having being passed by the House of the People (Lok Sabha) is pending in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) shall, subject to provisions of Article 108 (joint sitting of both the Houses), lapse on a dissolution of the House of People.