New Delhi, May 3 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday expressed his keenness to table the Women’s reservation bill in the current budget session of Parliament.

Dr. Manmohan Singh said he will approach the cabinet for evolving modalities in this regard. This was conveyed to the Communist Party of India (CPI) delegation led by A. B. Bardhan, who called on the Prime Minister today demanding a ban on Salwa Judum, an anti-naxalite movement in Chhattisgarh.

The women’s reservation bill, which sets aside one-third of seats in Parliament and State Assemblies for women, has been hanging fire since 1996 due to opposition from certain parties who want special quota-in-quota for women from backward communities.

The major political parties including ruling Congress, the Left allies and the BJP had asserted several times for the passage of the bill.

Prime Minister also told a delegation of women rights activists in March, this year, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, that the bill will be introduced in the budget session. (ANI)