New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Rajya Sabha MP from Odisha Sasmit Patra today earned appreciation for raising Women’s Reservation Bill issue in the House.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu appreciated Patra for raising the issue during the Special Mentions in the upper house.

"First submission, good, best submission," Naidu said.

Patra, the BJD spokesperson, is among the three MPs nominated to Rajya Sabha recently from Odisha.

“Women’s Reservation Bill which aims at empowering the women of India by ensuring 33 % reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies is nowhere to be heard, seen or discussed anymore. It was expected that after the elections, with the new government coming to power, the fortunes of passing the Women’s Reservation Bill would improve. But, in this session of parliament it has not been brought forth,” Patra said.

In Odisha, Chief Minister ensured 33% reservation for women for contesting in Lok Sabha for 2019 elections as well as 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions. Delegations have been sent to about 22 political parties to garner support for passing the Bill, Patra added.

The Bill not being brought forth is another lost opportunity and the Union government must take immediate steps in this regard, he stressed.