New Delhi: Despite sharp division in the ruling UPA and opposition NDA on it, Government tonight approved the much-delayed Women's Reservation Bill for introduction in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow.

The bill, seeking to earmark 33 per cent of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies, was cleared by the Union Cabinet at a time when the Congress-led coalition is entering the last year of its five-year term.

Left parties, key outside supporters of the coalition, have been pressurising the Government to go in for the measure despite a division in the ruling alliance.

The measure has remained a mirage for some 15 years as a sizable political section is demanding a quota within quota for women belonging to backward, minority and scheduled castes.

At least two attempts to introduce the bill in the Lok Sabha over the last 12 years have seen unruly scenes including snatching of the copy of the bill when an attempt was being made to introduce it by the then Prime Minister I K Gujral.

NDA's move to introduce it through its Law Minister Ram Jethmalani met similar fate when the copy of the bill was also snatched from him.

Railways Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad put forth his suggestions on having quota for women belonging to backward, minority and scheduled castes within the 33 per cent reservation.

Though Prasad is Union Minister and his party a key ally, the government cannot bank on it with RJD leaders not in favour of the bill.

Source : PTI