Women’s Reservation Bill to be taken up in extended Budget Session: Law Minister Meghwal

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Saturday said that the Women’s Reservation Bill will be taken up in the extended Budget Session of Parliament, with a special three-day sitting scheduled from April 16 to April 18.

Speaking at the valedictory session of the 5th edition of the ICA International Conference on Arbitration, Meghwal said the session has been convened specifically to consider amendments linked to implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023.

"We have called a special three-day session of Parliament from April 16 to April 18, 2026. It is an extension of budget session. This session has been convened specifically to pass amendments related to the Women’s Reservation Law,” he said.

The Minister said the law aims to ensure 33% representation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, describing it as a step towards realising the constitutional guarantee of equality.

Meghwal also highlighted the government’s broader reform agenda, stating that nearly 1,000 outdated laws and provisions have been abolished or amended to improve ease of doing business and ease of living.

He reiterated the government’s push towards institutional arbitration, adding that India aims to position itself as a global hub for dispute resolution.

Earlier in the day, a panel discussion titled “In Conversation with Global General Counsel: Managing Risk, Disputes & Strategy in a Globalized Economy” examined the evolving role of in-house legal teams.

The session was moderated by Manjaree Chowdhary, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, Maruti Suzuki India. The panel featured Akhil Prasad, General Counsel, Boeing India & Boeing Defense; Sujata Balachander, General Counsel, EY India; Florian Cahn, General Counsel, Framatome and Board Member at the German Arbitration Institute (DIS); Zubin Masani, General Counsel, Air India; and Vidyut Malhotra Gulati, General Counsel & Director, Bharti Airtel Group.

Chowdhary said the role of a general counsel has evolved into a “triple mandate” — that of a risk steward, dispute architect, and strategic business enabler.

Panellists noted that the past five years, marked by geopolitical disruptions and the COVID-19 pandemic, have significantly expanded expectations from legal teams, requiring them to move from reactive advisory roles to proactive business partners.

They also emphasised that modern dispute resolution increasingly prioritises commercial pragmatism and relationship preservation, with general counsels playing a key role in anticipating risks, structuring contracts, and enabling business continuity.