In a significant move towards addressing social equity and youth representation, multiple Private Member?s Bills were introduced in the Lower House on Friday. These bills, presented by MPs from various parties, aim to bring substantial changes in the legislative framework to benefit the socially disadvantaged and the youth.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor introduced a bill proposing the reservation of 10 seats in the Lok Sabha for individuals under 35 years. Tharoor highlighted the underrepresentation of young people in Parliament, noting that the average age gap between Parliamentarians and the population they represent is the largest in the world. He suggested that Parliament could either reserve 10 seats beforehand or create 10 additional seats to be filled by the best candidates under 35 who did not win the general elections. Speaking to The Indian Express, Tharoor said, ?It is very difficult for young people to be taken seriously in our political space. We hold the world record for the highest gap between the average age of Parliamentarians and the average age of the population they represent. Invariably all the young Parliamentarians are sons and daughters of politicians.?
Tharoor also introduced a bill demanding the establishment of a High Court bench in Thiruvananthapuram. He emphasized the inefficiency and financial burden of sending two-thirds of the state government's cases to the High Court in Kochi. ?I have been fighting for an HC bench in Thiruvananthapuram for the past 15 years. Till 1956, it had a bench but after the formation of the state, it ceased to exist as the high court went to Kochi. Today, two-thirds of the state government?s cases are going to HC. The state is spending Rs 6 crore a year in TA/DA alone plus the uncomputable cost of the absence of its officials from the capital. It is a huge drain on the exchequer,? Tharoor said.
Additionally, Tharoor introduced a bill advocating for 1% reservation for transgender persons across categories in government establishments, including educational institutions.
JD(U) MP from Gopalganj Alok Kumar Suman introduced a bill demanding a separate special package for SC, ST, and OBCs in Bihar, despite the state already receiving a special financial package in the Union Budget. Suman stated, ?Special package for Bihar is a separate matter. My intention is to get special assistance for the socially disadvantaged so that they can progress. This is over and above the package the Centre has given to Bihar.?
