April 12, 2026

NEW DELHI: Even as India allocates thousands of crores of rupees annually for child vaccination, RTI data shows that a significant share of funds remains unspent, raising questions over implementation in one of the country’s largest public health scheme – National Immunisation Programme. Under the programme – which provides free vaccines to protect children against multiple diseases, including polio, measles and hepatitis B – allocations have risen to over Rs 3,400 crore in 2025-26, but spending has consistently lagged behind. In 2023-24, about Rs 2,250 crore was utilised against the Rs 3,232-crore approved, while in 2024-25, expenditure dropped to around Rs 1,971 crore against the Rs 3,186-crore sanctioned. For financial year 2025-26, only about Rs 1,060 crore was spent – data till Dec and marked provisional – out of the Rs 3,434-crore approved. The data is based on financial monitoring reports submitted by states and UTs. Despite this, the programme continues to operate at scale. Govt data showed that 2.3 crore to 2.5 crore children were vaccinated annually between 2021-22 and 2024-25. Full immunisation coverage has improved from 88.2% in 2021-22 to 98.1% in 2024-25, though it dipped slightly in 2023-24, data showed. RTI activist Amit Gupta said the programme is vital for protecting children and requires efficient, transparent use of funds with strong accountability. He also urged govt to expand coverage to include vaccines for influenza, typhoid and hepatitis, saying these are now essential for comprehensive child protection. However, the RTI response also points to gaps in data systems. Gender-wise vaccination figures were not provided and were instead referred to another division, indicating fragmented record-keeping. Vaccines are sourced from a network of public and private manufacturers, including Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech, Biological E and Indian Immunologicals.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Don’t Assume It’s Over” Rajnath Cautions On West Asia ConflictJag Vikram Leads Way, First Indian Ship Through Hormuz Post CeasefireSupreme Court Clarifies: Right To Vote And Contest Elections Not Fundamental Rights, But StatutoryCDS General Anil Chauhan Says All Services On The Same Page On Theatre CommandTharoor Attacks Pak, Says Terror History Can’t Be Wiped Out Before TalksMaha Vir Chakra Awardee Col Sonam Wangchuk Passes Away; Kargil War Hero Remembered For BraveryIndia Sends Second Medical Shipment To Iran, Wins Praise Amid Ongoing Regional Conflict CrisisVikram Misri’s Paris–Berlin Visit: India Pushes Defence, Energy & Trade Ties Amid Global TensionsUP’s Massive Voter List Reset: 8.43 Million Added, 13.2% Deleted in Longest-Ever RevisionNitish Kumar’s Rajya Sabha Oath Triggers Bihar Leadership Buzz: Who Will Be the Next CM?123PhotostoriesFrom calling ‘Sweetu’ in Kal Ho Naa Ho more than just a ‘fat friend’ to speaking about her divorce with ex-husband Rajeev Paul and alimony, Delnaaz Irani opens up about her lifeWhy homemade paneer turns hard and 5 smart tips to fix it at homeBollywood who? These Indian royals are the new kings of menswearPolka dots to tiger stripes: 5 Y2K prints everyone is wearing right nowRavi Bishnoi’s Jodhpur house: A reflection of tradition, comfort, and calm livingTop 6 residential areas in Vadodara for buyers and investorsThat back pain may not be muscle strain: Early signs of kidney issues people often missWhy gold remains India’s favorite investment and fashion’s biggest statement5 mantras to teach your kids for successDhabas fined Rs 1.45 lakh for hygiene violations: 6 common hygiene issues at dhabas and how to handle them123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingStephen Curry charityLaura Loomer reactionIndia Lebanon civilianRajouri grenade recoveryUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Hinjewadi Metro lineUS inflationSchool Holidays in AprilLaken Snelling case

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NEW DELHI: Even as India allocates thousands of crores of rupees annually for child vaccination, RTI data shows that a significant share of funds remains unspent, raising questions over implementation in one of the country’s largest public health scheme – National Immunisation Programme. Under the programme – which provides free vaccines to protect children against multiple diseases, including polio, measles and hepatitis B – allocations have risen to over Rs 3,400 crore in 2025-26, but spending has consistently lagged behind. In 2023-24, about Rs 2,250 crore was utilised against the Rs 3,232-crore approved, while in 2024-25, expenditure dropped to around Rs 1,971 crore against the Rs 3,186-crore sanctioned. For financial year 2025-26, only about Rs 1,060 crore was spent – data till Dec and marked provisional – out of the Rs 3,434-crore approved. The data is based on financial monitoring reports submitted by states and UTs. Despite this, the programme continues to operate at scale. Govt data showed that 2.3 crore to 2.5 crore children were vaccinated annually between 2021-22 and 2024-25. Full immunisation coverage has improved from 88.2% in 2021-22 to 98.1% in 2024-25, though it dipped slightly in 2023-24, data showed. RTI activist Amit Gupta said the programme is vital for protecting children and requires efficient, transparent use of funds with strong accountability. He also urged govt to expand coverage to include vaccines for influenza, typhoid and hepatitis, saying these are now essential for comprehensive child protection. However, the RTI response also points to gaps in data systems. Gender-wise vaccination figures were not provided and were instead referred to another division, indicating fragmented record-keeping. Vaccines are sourced from a network of public and private manufacturers, including Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech, Biological E and Indian Immunologicals.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Don’t Assume It’s Over” Rajnath Cautions On West Asia ConflictJag Vikram Leads Way, First Indian Ship Through Hormuz Post CeasefireSupreme Court Clarifies: Right To Vote And Contest Elections Not Fundamental Rights, But StatutoryCDS General Anil Chauhan Says All Services On The Same Page On Theatre CommandTharoor Attacks Pak, Says Terror History Can’t Be Wiped Out Before TalksMaha Vir Chakra Awardee Col Sonam Wangchuk Passes Away; Kargil War Hero Remembered For BraveryIndia Sends Second Medical Shipment To Iran, Wins Praise Amid Ongoing Regional Conflict CrisisVikram Misri’s Paris–Berlin Visit: India Pushes Defence, Energy & Trade Ties Amid Global TensionsUP’s Massive Voter List Reset: 8.43 Million Added, 13.2% Deleted in Longest-Ever RevisionNitish Kumar’s Rajya Sabha Oath Triggers Bihar Leadership Buzz: Who Will Be the Next CM?123PhotostoriesFrom calling ‘Sweetu’ in Kal Ho Naa Ho more than just a ‘fat friend’ to speaking about her divorce with ex-husband Rajeev Paul and alimony, Delnaaz Irani opens up about her lifeWhy homemade paneer turns hard and 5 smart tips to fix it at homeBollywood who? These Indian royals are the new kings of menswearPolka dots to tiger stripes: 5 Y2K prints everyone is wearing right nowRavi Bishnoi’s Jodhpur house: A reflection of tradition, comfort, and calm livingTop 6 residential areas in Vadodara for buyers and investorsThat back pain may not be muscle strain: Early signs of kidney issues people often missWhy gold remains India’s favorite investment and fashion’s biggest statement5 mantras to teach your kids for successDhabas fined Rs 1.45 lakh for hygiene violations: 6 common hygiene issues at dhabas and how to handle them123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingStephen Curry charityLaura Loomer reactionIndia Lebanon civilianRajouri grenade recoveryUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Hinjewadi Metro lineUS inflationSchool Holidays in AprilLaken Snelling case


Big share of funds for kids' jabs not spent: RTI data

NEW DELHI: Even as India allocates thousands of crores of rupees annually for child vaccination, RTI data shows that a significant share of funds remains unspent, raising questions over implementation in one of the country’s largest public health scheme – National Immunisation Programme. Under the programme – which provides free vaccines to protect children against multiple diseases, including polio, measles and hepatitis B – allocations have risen to over Rs 3,400 crore in 2025-26, but spending has consistently lagged behind. In 2023-24, about Rs 2,250 crore was utilised against the Rs 3,232-crore approved, while in 2024-25, expenditure dropped to around Rs 1,971 crore against the Rs 3,186-crore sanctioned. For financial year 2025-26, only about Rs 1,060 crore was spent – data till Dec and marked provisional – out of the Rs 3,434-crore approved. The data is based on financial monitoring reports submitted by states and UTs. Despite this, the programme continues to operate at scale. Govt data showed that 2.3 crore to 2.5 crore children were vaccinated annually between 2021-22 and 2024-25. Full immunisation coverage has improved from 88.2% in 2021-22 to 98.1% in 2024-25, though it dipped slightly in 2023-24, data showed. RTI activist Amit Gupta said the programme is vital for protecting children and requires efficient, transparent use of funds with strong accountability. He also urged govt to expand coverage to include vaccines for influenza, typhoid and hepatitis, saying these are now essential for comprehensive child protection. However, the RTI response also points to gaps in data systems. Gender-wise vaccination figures were not provided and were instead referred to another division, indicating fragmented record-keeping. Vaccines are sourced from a network of public and private manufacturers, including Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech, Biological E and Indian Immunologicals.



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Speaking to reporters at the airport on Saturday, Goyal said the evacuation was carried out following directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with coordinated efforts by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Indian missions abroad to relocate the stranded fishermen from Iran to Armenia before bringing them back to India. CHENNAI: Union minister Piyush Goyal welcomed the second batch of Indian fishermen at Chennai International Airport after their successful evacuation from Iran amid ongoing conflict conditions in the region.Speaking to reporters at the airport on Saturday, Goyal said the evacuation was carried out following directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with coordinated efforts by the ministry of external affairs (MEA) and Indian missions abroad to relocate the stranded fishermen from Iran to Armenia before bringing them back to India.”Our Prime Minister gave instructions to the foreign ministry, and they worked very hard to move them from Iran to Armenia. From Armenia, we got some good people to support us in getting them back because they are very poor fishermen. In the first batch, 345 came. Today, 300+ came. The Prime Minister has always cared for all the people who are stuck in any crisis. This once again demonstrates how much he cares for our fishermen who were unfortunately stuck in the middle of the war in Iran. They have been brought out from right inside Iran,” Goyal said.He further informed that over 600 Indian fishermen have been safely brought back from Iran so far, with the assistance of Indian embassies in Iran and Armenia. The returnees include fishermen primarily from Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Kerala and Puducherry.”It is a delight to welcome back our brave fishermen who were in the middle of the war in Iran. They have been able to come back to India with the help of the embassy in Iran and the embassy in Armenia. In the first plane, 345 fishermen had come back, mostly from Tamil Nadu. Today, we have more than 300 fishermen who have come back. The majority are from Tamil Nadu, many are from Gujarat, and some are from Kerala and Puducherry. They had gone to Iran to make a living, mostly from the southern part of the country. They come from different districts like Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, and Nagapattinam, as well as Pudukkottai, Mayiladuthurai, and many other districts across the coastline. The fishermen from Gujarat are mostly from Valsad in the Surat region,” he said.Goyal also praised the coordinated diplomatic efforts of external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his team, stating that they ensured the safety of Indian citizens from the very beginning of the crisis.”From the first day when the war started, the foreign minister, a son of the soil from Tamil Nadu, Jaishankar and his team were in touch with the fishermen, making sure they were safe. The embassy brought them together in Armenia, and we have made arrangements for the plane to get them to India. They may belong to different parts of Bharat, but what binds them together is ‘Mahabharat,’ the Tricolour, our national flag, and the love and affection of 140 crore Indians who were eagerly waiting for their brothers to come back from the war in Iran,” the Union Minister said.A fisherman from Kanyakumari district, Silvester, who was among those repatriated, expressed relief after returning home, saying the evacuation brought them safety and comfort.”Now we feel safe and happy. Our Modi government has helped us greatly. Without them, we couldn’t have reached here. They helped us a lot; they even gave us good, decent food,” he told ANI. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Don’t Assume It’s Over” Rajnath Cautions On West Asia ConflictJag Vikram Leads Way, First Indian Ship Through Hormuz Post CeasefireSupreme Court Clarifies: Right To Vote And Contest Elections Not Fundamental Rights, But StatutoryCDS General Anil Chauhan Says All Services On The Same Page On Theatre CommandTharoor Attacks Pak, Says Terror History Can’t Be Wiped Out Before TalksMaha Vir Chakra Awardee Col Sonam Wangchuk Passes Away; Kargil War Hero Remembered For BraveryIndia Sends Second Medical Shipment To Iran, Wins Praise Amid Ongoing Regional Conflict CrisisVikram Misri’s Paris–Berlin Visit: India Pushes Defence, Energy & Trade Ties Amid Global TensionsUP’s Massive Voter List Reset: 8.43 Million Added, 13.2% Deleted in Longest-Ever RevisionNitish Kumar’s Rajya Sabha Oath Triggers Bihar Leadership Buzz: Who Will Be the Next CM?123PhotostoriesMuscle loss could be your liver’s first distress signal: Hidden signs people ignore and how to protect liver health early8 old-school baby names are back, and they are cuter than everFrom calling ‘Sweetu’ in Kal Ho Naa Ho more than just a ‘fat friend’ to speaking about her divorce with ex-husband Rajeev Paul and alimony, Delnaaz Irani opens up about her lifeWhy homemade paneer turns hard and 5 smart tips to fix it at homeBollywood who? These Indian royals are the new kings of menswearPolka dots to tiger stripes: 5 Y2K prints everyone is wearing right nowRavi Bishnoi’s Jodhpur house: A reflection of tradition, comfort, and calm livingTop 6 residential areas in Vadodara for buyers and investorsThat back pain may not be muscle strain: Early signs of kidney issues people often missWhy gold remains India’s favorite investment and fashion’s biggest statement123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingStephen Curry charityLaura Loomer reactionIndia Lebanon civilianRajouri grenade recoveryUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Hinjewadi Metro lineUS inflationSchool Holidays in AprilLaken Snelling case

Speaking to reporters at the airport on Saturday, Goyal said the evacuation was carried out following directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with coordinated efforts by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Indian missions abroad to relocate the stranded fishermen from Iran to Armenia before bringing them back to India. CHENNAI: Union minister Piyush Goyal welcomed the second batch of Indian fishermen at Chennai International Airport after their successful evacuation from Iran amid ongoing conflict conditions in the region.Speaking to reporters at the airport on Saturday, Goyal said the evacuation was carried out following directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with coordinated efforts by the ministry of external affairs (MEA) and Indian missions abroad to relocate the stranded fishermen from Iran to Armenia before bringing them back to India.”Our Prime Minister gave instructions to the foreign ministry, and they worked very hard to move them from Iran to Armenia. From Armenia, we got some good people to support us in getting them back because they are very poor fishermen. In the first batch, 345 came. Today, 300+ came. The Prime Minister has always cared for all the people who are stuck in any crisis. This once again demonstrates how much he cares for our fishermen who were unfortunately stuck in the middle of the war in Iran. They have been brought out from right inside Iran,” Goyal said.He further informed that over 600 Indian fishermen have been safely brought back from Iran so far, with the assistance of Indian embassies in Iran and Armenia. The returnees include fishermen primarily from Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Kerala and Puducherry.”It is a delight to welcome back our brave fishermen who were in the middle of the war in Iran. They have been able to come back to India with the help of the embassy in Iran and the embassy in Armenia. In the first plane, 345 fishermen had come back, mostly from Tamil Nadu. Today, we have more than 300 fishermen who have come back. The majority are from Tamil Nadu, many are from Gujarat, and some are from Kerala and Puducherry. They had gone to Iran to make a living, mostly from the southern part of the country. They come from different districts like Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, and Nagapattinam, as well as Pudukkottai, Mayiladuthurai, and many other districts across the coastline. The fishermen from Gujarat are mostly from Valsad in the Surat region,” he said.Goyal also praised the coordinated diplomatic efforts of external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his team, stating that they ensured the safety of Indian citizens from the very beginning of the crisis.”From the first day when the war started, the foreign minister, a son of the soil from Tamil Nadu, Jaishankar and his team were in touch with the fishermen, making sure they were safe. The embassy brought them together in Armenia, and we have made arrangements for the plane to get them to India. They may belong to different parts of Bharat, but what binds them together is ‘Mahabharat,’ the Tricolour, our national flag, and the love and affection of 140 crore Indians who were eagerly waiting for their brothers to come back from the war in Iran,” the Union Minister said.A fisherman from Kanyakumari district, Silvester, who was among those repatriated, expressed relief after returning home, saying the evacuation brought them safety and comfort.”Now we feel safe and happy. Our Modi government has helped us greatly. Without them, we couldn’t have reached here. They helped us a lot; they even gave us good, decent food,” he told ANI. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Don’t Assume It’s Over” Rajnath Cautions On West Asia ConflictJag Vikram Leads Way, First Indian Ship Through Hormuz Post CeasefireSupreme Court Clarifies: Right To Vote And Contest Elections Not Fundamental Rights, But StatutoryCDS General Anil Chauhan Says All Services On The Same Page On Theatre CommandTharoor Attacks Pak, Says Terror History Can’t Be Wiped Out Before TalksMaha Vir Chakra Awardee Col Sonam Wangchuk Passes Away; Kargil War Hero Remembered For BraveryIndia Sends Second Medical Shipment To Iran, Wins Praise Amid Ongoing Regional Conflict CrisisVikram Misri’s Paris–Berlin Visit: India Pushes Defence, Energy & Trade Ties Amid Global TensionsUP’s Massive Voter List Reset: 8.43 Million Added, 13.2% Deleted in Longest-Ever RevisionNitish Kumar’s Rajya Sabha Oath Triggers Bihar Leadership Buzz: Who Will Be the Next CM?123PhotostoriesMuscle loss could be your liver’s first distress signal: Hidden signs people ignore and how to protect liver health early8 old-school baby names are back, and they are cuter than everFrom calling ‘Sweetu’ in Kal Ho Naa Ho more than just a ‘fat friend’ to speaking about her divorce with ex-husband Rajeev Paul and alimony, Delnaaz Irani opens up about her lifeWhy homemade paneer turns hard and 5 smart tips to fix it at homeBollywood who? These Indian royals are the new kings of menswearPolka dots to tiger stripes: 5 Y2K prints everyone is wearing right nowRavi Bishnoi’s Jodhpur house: A reflection of tradition, comfort, and calm livingTop 6 residential areas in Vadodara for buyers and investorsThat back pain may not be muscle strain: Early signs of kidney issues people often missWhy gold remains India’s favorite investment and fashion’s biggest statement123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingStephen Curry charityLaura Loomer reactionIndia Lebanon civilianRajouri grenade recoveryUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Hinjewadi Metro lineUS inflationSchool Holidays in AprilLaken Snelling case

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NEW DELHI: PM Modi on Saturday reached out to floor leaders of all parties in both Houses, seeking their support for the unanimous passage next week of the women’s reservation bills that aim to earmark a third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and assemblies from 2029. “After extensive deliberations, we have reached the conclusion that the time has now come to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in its true spirit across the country. It is imperative that the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and assembly elections are conducted with women’s reservations in place,” Modi wrote, signalling his govt’s intent to push for passage of the bills during the session starting April 16. “Your support… will be the fulfilment of an important responsibility towards the women of our country,” PM wrote in the letter exclusively accessed by TOI.BJP will need oppn backing for 2/3rd majority on women’s billThe outreach comes against the backdrop of resistance by opposition parties to govt’s plans for swift implementation of the quota instead of waiting for completion of the 2027 Census: something that would almost ensure that women’s reservations don’t come into force before 2034 Lok Sabha polls.BJP will need the support of opposition parties to get the two-thirds majority required to ensure passage of the constitutional amendment in Parliament.Stressing that the cause of women’s reservation in Parliament and state legislatures was higher than any one party or individual, Modi said: “It is a moment to demonstrate responsibility towards women and future generations. Since all political parties have expressed the desire to increase women’s representation in politics for a long time, this is the right time to turn that aspiration into a reality.”The women’s quota bills seek to de-link implementation of women’s quota from the findings of 2027 Census and propose it to be based on 2011 Census instead.In his letter, PM recalled the unanimous support for the women’s quota bills his govt had moved in 2023, terming it as “a memorable moment that reflected our unity”.He also seemed to address the opposition’s reservations about the timing of the passage of bills by recalling that all parties had favoured early implementation. “During those deliberations (in 2023)… There was a broad consensus that the provisions of this historic law should become effective at the earliest. Leaders from many parties were of this view…” he said.The amendments will result in the number of seats in Lok Sabha rising from 543 to 816, with 273 reserved for women. Earlier this week, the Union Cabinet had cleared the amendments, with three bills to be introduced: Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, Delimitation Bill and a legislation to extend the reservation for women to Union territories, such as Delhi, J&K and Puducherry, which have legislatures.In his letter, PM said constitutional experts have been consulted on the issue, and govt has also engaged in a dialogue with political parties.The proposed amendments are a “strong step” towards enhancing participation of women who account for half the population, he stressed.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Don’t Assume It’s Over” Rajnath Cautions On West Asia ConflictJag Vikram Leads Way, First Indian Ship Through Hormuz Post CeasefireSupreme Court Clarifies: Right To Vote And Contest Elections Not Fundamental Rights, But StatutoryCDS General Anil Chauhan Says All Services On The Same Page On Theatre CommandTharoor Attacks Pak, Says Terror History Can’t Be Wiped Out Before TalksMaha Vir Chakra Awardee Col Sonam Wangchuk Passes Away; Kargil War Hero Remembered For BraveryIndia Sends Second Medical Shipment To Iran, Wins Praise Amid Ongoing Regional Conflict CrisisVikram Misri’s Paris–Berlin Visit: India Pushes Defence, Energy & Trade Ties Amid Global TensionsUP’s Massive Voter List Reset: 8.43 Million Added, 13.2% Deleted in Longest-Ever RevisionNitish Kumar’s Rajya Sabha Oath Triggers Bihar Leadership Buzz: Who Will Be the Next CM?123PhotostoriesFrom calling ‘Sweetu’ in Kal Ho Naa Ho more than just a ‘fat friend’ to speaking about her divorce with ex-husband Rajeev Paul and alimony, Delnaaz Irani opens up about her lifeWhy homemade paneer turns hard and 5 smart tips to fix it at home5 signs someone is draining your energy- And how to deal with themBollywood who? These Indian royals are the new kings of menswearPolka dots to tiger stripes: 5 Y2K prints everyone is wearing right nowRavi Bishnoi’s Jodhpur house: A reflection of tradition, comfort, and calm livingTop 6 residential areas in Vadodara for buyers and investorsThat back pain may not be muscle strain: Early signs of kidney issues people often missWhy gold remains India’s favorite investment and fashion’s biggest statement5 mantras to teach your kids for success123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingStephen Curry charityLaura Loomer reactionIndia Lebanon civilianRajouri grenade recoveryUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Hinjewadi Metro lineUS inflationSchool Holidays in AprilLaken Snelling case

NEW DELHI: PM Modi on Saturday reached out to floor leaders of all parties in both Houses, seeking their support for the unanimous passage next week of the women’s reservation bills that aim to earmark a third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and assemblies from 2029. “After extensive deliberations, we have reached the conclusion that the time has now come to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in its true spirit across the country. It is imperative that the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and assembly elections are conducted with women’s reservations in place,” Modi wrote, signalling his govt’s intent to push for passage of the bills during the session starting April 16. “Your support… will be the fulfilment of an important responsibility towards the women of our country,” PM wrote in the letter exclusively accessed by TOI.BJP will need oppn backing for 2/3rd majority on women’s billThe outreach comes against the backdrop of resistance by opposition parties to govt’s plans for swift implementation of the quota instead of waiting for completion of the 2027 Census: something that would almost ensure that women’s reservations don’t come into force before 2034 Lok Sabha polls.BJP will need the support of opposition parties to get the two-thirds majority required to ensure passage of the constitutional amendment in Parliament.Stressing that the cause of women’s reservation in Parliament and state legislatures was higher than any one party or individual, Modi said: “It is a moment to demonstrate responsibility towards women and future generations. Since all political parties have expressed the desire to increase women’s representation in politics for a long time, this is the right time to turn that aspiration into a reality.”The women’s quota bills seek to de-link implementation of women’s quota from the findings of 2027 Census and propose it to be based on 2011 Census instead.In his letter, PM recalled the unanimous support for the women’s quota bills his govt had moved in 2023, terming it as “a memorable moment that reflected our unity”.He also seemed to address the opposition’s reservations about the timing of the passage of bills by recalling that all parties had favoured early implementation. “During those deliberations (in 2023)… There was a broad consensus that the provisions of this historic law should become effective at the earliest. Leaders from many parties were of this view…” he said.The amendments will result in the number of seats in Lok Sabha rising from 543 to 816, with 273 reserved for women. Earlier this week, the Union Cabinet had cleared the amendments, with three bills to be introduced: Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, Delimitation Bill and a legislation to extend the reservation for women to Union territories, such as Delhi, J&K and Puducherry, which have legislatures.In his letter, PM said constitutional experts have been consulted on the issue, and govt has also engaged in a dialogue with political parties.The proposed amendments are a “strong step” towards enhancing participation of women who account for half the population, he stressed.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Don’t Assume It’s Over” Rajnath Cautions On West Asia ConflictJag Vikram Leads Way, First Indian Ship Through Hormuz Post CeasefireSupreme Court Clarifies: Right To Vote And Contest Elections Not Fundamental Rights, But StatutoryCDS General Anil Chauhan Says All Services On The Same Page On Theatre CommandTharoor Attacks Pak, Says Terror History Can’t Be Wiped Out Before TalksMaha Vir Chakra Awardee Col Sonam Wangchuk Passes Away; Kargil War Hero Remembered For BraveryIndia Sends Second Medical Shipment To Iran, Wins Praise Amid Ongoing Regional Conflict CrisisVikram Misri’s Paris–Berlin Visit: India Pushes Defence, Energy & Trade Ties Amid Global TensionsUP’s Massive Voter List Reset: 8.43 Million Added, 13.2% Deleted in Longest-Ever RevisionNitish Kumar’s Rajya Sabha Oath Triggers Bihar Leadership Buzz: Who Will Be the Next CM?123PhotostoriesFrom calling ‘Sweetu’ in Kal Ho Naa Ho more than just a ‘fat friend’ to speaking about her divorce with ex-husband Rajeev Paul and alimony, Delnaaz Irani opens up about her lifeWhy homemade paneer turns hard and 5 smart tips to fix it at home5 signs someone is draining your energy- And how to deal with themBollywood who? These Indian royals are the new kings of menswearPolka dots to tiger stripes: 5 Y2K prints everyone is wearing right nowRavi Bishnoi’s Jodhpur house: A reflection of tradition, comfort, and calm livingTop 6 residential areas in Vadodara for buyers and investorsThat back pain may not be muscle strain: Early signs of kidney issues people often missWhy gold remains India’s favorite investment and fashion’s biggest statement5 mantras to teach your kids for success123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingStephen Curry charityLaura Loomer reactionIndia Lebanon civilianRajouri grenade recoveryUS stock marketPAN Card application 2026Hinjewadi Metro lineUS inflationSchool Holidays in AprilLaken Snelling case

Vamsikrishna 0