New Delhi, Mar 22 (IANS): Retiring Rajya Sabha member and veteran agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan Friday stressed the need for parliament to take steps for empowerment of women, starting from the rural women at grassroots level.

"I hope parliament will pass the women's reservation bill soon. There is a need to empower women," Swaminathan, hailed as the Father of the Green Revolution in India, said giving his farewell speech in the upper house.

"According to the latest gender index, India is at 105th rank. It is a sad situation and without improving situation of rural woman, we cannot improve situation overall," he said.

Swaminathan, who completes his Rajya Sabha term April 9, said he was not able to present his private member's bill on women farmers due to disruptions, and hoped the house would realise that the Question Hour, and private member's business should not be disrupted.

"I am sad I could not discuss my private member's bill for empowerment of women farmers, because it was listed twice, but the house could not function due to disruption," he said.

"I hope a consensus would emerge soon that Question Hour and private member's business should not be put out due to disturbance," he said.