(General Studies II – Polity section – Parliament and State Legislatures—Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business, Powers & Privileges and Issues Arising out of these.)
- The impending delimitation exercise in India, set to occur after the freeze lapses in 2026, raises significant challenges to the nation’s federal structure, with potential consequences for Lok Sabha representation and the political influence of various states.
Understanding Delimitation and Its Implications –
Delimitation involves redrawing the boundaries and reallocating seats of parliamentary constituencies based on population data. As per Article 82 of the Indian Constitution, this process is mandated after each Census to ensure equitable representation. However, disparities in population growth rates between states have led to concerns about fair representation.
| Delimitation Commission Establishment: The Delimitation Commission is a statutory body created under the Delimitation Commission Act by the Government of India. Purpose: It redraws boundaries of parliamentary and assembly constituencies based on the latest census to ensure fair representation. Independence: The Commission operates independently, and its decisions have the force of law, immune from judicial review. Historical Commissions: Delimitation Commissions have been constituted four times: 1952, 1963, 1973, and 2002. Latest Delimitation: The most recent delimitation was based on the 2001 Census, following the Delimitation Act, 2002. Post-2026 Exercise: The next delimitation is expected after 2026, following the first census conducted after that year, as per the constitutional freeze introduced in 1976 and extended in 2001. Binding Decisions: The Commission’s orders are laid before Parliament and State Legislatures but cannot be modified. Significance: Ensures equitable population representation in constituencies to uphold the principle of “one person, one vote.” |
Historical Context –
In 1976, under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the delimitation process was suspended for 25 years to prevent penalizing states that had successfully implemented population control measures. This suspension was extended for another 25 years in 2001 during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure. The freeze is set to lapse in 2026, prompting discussions on whether to proceed with delimitation.
Contentions Surrounding Delimitation –
- Population Disparities: States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have achieved Total Fertility Rates (TFR) below the replacement level of 2.1, while states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh have TFRs above this threshold. Implementing delimitation based on current populations could reduce the parliamentary representation of states with lower TFRs, despite their effective population control efforts.
- Economic Contributions vs. Representation: States like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu contribute significantly to India’s GDP and tax revenues but receive a smaller proportion of central funds. A delimitation exercise that increases seats for less economically developed states could exacerbate this imbalance, leading to perceptions of unfair resource distribution.
- Linguistic and Cultural Concerns: India’s federal structure is built on linguistic and cultural diversity. Delimitation that disproportionately increases representation for Hindi-speaking states could lead to fears of cultural dominance, undermining the pluralistic fabric of the nation.
Possible Solutions –
- Extend the Freeze: Continue the suspension of delimitation for another 25 years, allowing states to achieve more uniform population growth rates and maintaining the current balance of representation.
- Permanent Seat Allocation: Fix the number of seats per state permanently, decoupling representation from population changes to preserve the existing federal equilibrium.
- Balanced Delimitation with Decentralization: Proceed with delimitation but accompany it with a reallocation of powers, transferring subjects from the Union List to the State List and abolishing the Concurrent List. This approach would enhance state autonomy, offsetting potential imbalances in representation.
- Adjust Seat Numbers Within States: Maintain the current inter-state seat distribution but increase the total number of seats within each state to reflect population growth, ensuring adequate representation without altering the federal balance.
| Navigating the complexities of delimitation requires a nuanced approach that upholds India’s federal principles and respects its diverse socio-cultural landscape. By adopting equitable solutions, India can strengthen its unity and democratic integrity, ensuring harmonious coexistence among its varied states. |
