Sunday, July 24 2005 17:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: In its final effort to evolve a consensus on the much-debated Women's Reservation Bill, the Government proposes to call an all-party meeting in a week to ten days before its introduction in Parliament.

"In a week to ten days, a final round of talks will be held with leaders of all political parties and we hope to come to some conclusion," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today (July 24, 2005) told reporters after an hour-long meeting of leaders of various political parties convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was also present at the customary session-eve luncheon meeting.

Azad said the Congress-led UPA (United Progressive Alliance) and its allies were eager for introduction of the Bill and the Government had authorised Home Minister Shivraj Patil to discuss the legislation with political parties and that exercise is over.

He said UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi was very keen on introduction of the Bill as soon as possible.

Patil, after his discussions with major political parties, had said the Government would do its best to see that the Bill is introduced in the Monsoon session of Parliament after bringing about a consensus.

The All India Mahila Congress (I) has asked the Government to introduce the Bill in its original form providing for 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.