Landmark bill to give women equal rights in property okayed

NEW DELHI: A landmark legislation aimed at giving Hindu women equal rights in inheritance of property was passed by the upper house today.

The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Bill, 2004, moved by Law Minister H R Bhardwaj, proposes to remove the discrimination contained in Section six of the Hindu Succession Act 1956 by giving equal rights to daughters in the Hindu Mitakshara coparcenaries property as the sons have.

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The Bill received overwhelming support from the members who felt that women have been discriminated over the years. It was passed by a voice vote.

Replying to the debate, Bhardwaj said he was working "day and night" on the Women's Reservation Bill on which the government has interacted with leaders of political parties in a bid to create a consensus.

Observing he was ready with a Bill to check domestic violence against women which was a "very important piece of legislation with far-reaching consequences", the Minister said UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi was keen on reviewing all bills wherever there was gender bias.

"Wherever we find there is gender bias, it will be done away with," he said.