New Delhi, Oct 22 The union cabinet Thursday approved 50 percent reservation of seats in urban local bodies for women, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said.

Soni said the ministry of urban development will move a bill for a constitutional amendment in the next parliamentary session, to increase the reservation from the present 33 percent to 50.

She said the reservation will apply not only to seats under direct election but also for seats of chairpersons.

Besides, it will also apply to seats and offices reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Women account for nearly 43.5 percent of the urban population in India.

Earlier, in August, the government had approved 50 percent reservation of seats in village councils. (IANS)