New Delhi, Aug 27 - The Union Cabinet Thursday decided to reserve 50 percent of the seats in all rural panchayats for women and a bill to this effect is expected to be introduced in the winter session of parliament.

'The Cabinet has approved the amendment of Article 243 D of the constitution to reserve 50 percent of the total number of seats in panchayats filled by direct election for women,' Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters here after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

A proposed legislation for the purpose is expected to come up in the winter session of parliament, officials sources said.

A bill to reserve 33 percent seats for women in parliament and state assemblies is pending in parliament and could not be passed because of opposition from several regional parties.