New Delhi: Government plans to bring the women's reservation Bill in the Monsoon Session of Parliament in July, if a consensus is evolved on the issue among political parties in June.

"If a consensus is arrived at a meeting of political parties convened by Speaker Manohar Joshi on June 16 on the women's reservation Bill, government will bring it in the Monsoon Session of Parliament," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters on the conclusion of the Budget Session of Parliament.

She regretted that the Bill, seeking to ensure one-third reservation of women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, could not be passed in the session because of stiff resistance from smaller parties, including some of BJP's (Bharatiya Janata Party) allies.

The Samajadi Party and RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) demanded sub-quota for backward class and minority women in the bill and stalled a debate on it forcing its deferment.

Asked what was the hurdle in passage of the Bill when the ruling party and the major Opposition favoured it, Swaraj said, "It was a Constitution amendment Bill in which lobbies have to be cleared and voting is required. It cannot be passed by voice vote."

PTI