The state of Madhya Pradesh, which is heading into elections, has made the decision to allocate 35% of government jobs for women, excluding positions in the forest department. This change is reflected in an amendment to the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Special Provision for Appointment of Women) Rules, 1997, recently introduced by the government.
According to the notification, “Despite the provisions in any service rules, 35 percent of all posts in the state’s services (except the Forest Department) shall be reserved for women through direct recruitment. This reservation will be applied horizontally and compartment-wise.”
Madhya Pradesh CM Launches Women-Centric Initiatives Ahead of Upcoming Assembly Elections
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has recently implemented several pro-women initiatives, such as reserving 35% of government job vacancies for women and dedicating 50% of teaching positions to them. Additionally, he expedited the disbursement of financial aid under the women’s welfare program “Ladli Bahna Yojana,” which provides ₹1,250 in monthly support to beneficiaries. This action was taken in anticipation of the upcoming assembly polls, as financial disbursements would be restricted during the election period due to the imposition of the model code of conduct.
Madhya Pradesh is scheduled to hold assembly elections later this year.
Historic Bill Ensuring 33% Women’s Reservation in Parliament and State Assemblies Unanimously Passes in Rajya Sabha
Regarding national-level politics, the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhniyam,’ which ensures 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, was unanimously passed by the Rajya Sabha. This bill became the first to be passed in the new Parliament building. On September 20, the bill received overwhelming support from 454 members in favor, with only two opposing it. The amendments proposed by opposition members were rejected, and separate clauses of the draft legislation were voted on. This significant development coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday according to the Hindu calendar, as the bill was “unanimously” passed in the Rajya Sabha on September 21.
