Speaking during the debate on the women’s reservation-related amendment bills and the proposed delimitation framework, Shah said the total strength of the Lok Sabha would rise to 816 seats, though the legislation mentions a ceiling of 850 because that figure is rounded. He explained that 816 reflects a precise 50 per cent increase over the current 543 elected seats.
ISRO's Space Applications Centre and ATREE have partnered to map India's grasslands and open natural ecosystems using satellite data and ecological research. This collaboration aims to assess restoration impacts, improve carbon estimation, and generate policy-ready datasets for land use planning and conservation efforts.
Parliament buzzed with debate over India's representational future as the delimitation exercise and Women's Reservation Bill took center stage. Prime Minister Modi and home minister Shah assured southern states no injustice would occur, projecting increased seats and influence. Maths indicate a marginal shift in overall share despite seat increases for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor urged the government to implement women's reservation immediately, separate from the delimitation process. He argued that delimitation requires extensive discussion, unlike the reservation bill which the opposition fully supports. Tharoor cautioned against a rushed approach, likening it to 'political demonetisation' and advocating for broader consultation.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the government's women's reservation and delimitation bills in Lok Sabha, calling them an «open attack» on democracy. She questioned the delay in implementation and alleged the government is diverting from the core issue of women's reservation, while reaffirming Congress's support.
Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta announced a comprehensive initiative to strengthen technical and vocational education in the capital's Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
Backing the idea of reserving seats for women legislators, Priyanka said her party was not opposing women’s representation itself, but questioning what she described as the political intent behind the timing and framing of the bill. She argued that the ruling NDA was using the measure as an electoral strategy rather than as a purely reform-driven step.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath drew parallels between Bengal's current situation and UP's past, highlighting law and order issues, mafia rule, and corruption. He accused the TMC of creating an identity crisis and appealed for a BJP government to end terror and corruption in West Bengal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the women's reservation Bill as a defining moment for India's democracy, emphasizing the need for greater female representation in policymaking. He asserted that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, providing 33% reservation for women, will give India a new direction, linking it to the nation's ancient democratic roots and the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat'.
Tragedy struck the Bankra border outpost in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas as a devastating fire engulfed a fuel depot. Assistant Sub Inspector Jagi Ram tragically lost his life after being trapped inside during a blast that ignited the blaze. The depot supplied fuel for BSF boats patrolling the Sundarbans. Authorities are investigating the incident.
The Congress on Thursday alleged that the government wants to «bulldoze» delimitation in the name of women's reservation, and asserted that if it is really committed to implementing the women's quota law it should do so immediately on the basis of the current strength of Lok Sabha. The opposition party also alleged that the BJP was using delimitation as a «political weapon» to increase its influence.
Prime Minister Modi lauded the women's reservation Bill in Lok Sabha, while criticizing DMK's protest against the delimitation Bill. He assured no state would face injustice, countering Udhayanidhi Stalin's claims of reduced Tamil Nadu representation. The delimitation and women's quota bills were introduced after a division vote.
Parliament is set to debate the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, aiming for 33% women's reservation in legislatures. This constitutional amendment, passed in 2023, will be implemented after delimitation based on the 2027 Census. While the government champions women's empowerment, opposition raises concerns over the delimitation process and its potential impact on state representation, creating a north-south divide.
