• Source:JND
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The central government on Tuesday sought to allay apprehensions among southern states over the delimitation process to implement 33 per cent women's reservation in legislative assemblies by 2029.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that an attempt is being made to mislead the South Indian states by saying that they are at a disadvantage in the delimitation process due to following population control norms.

He said that if you look at all the provisions of the bill, every state, region, and community has been taken into account. There is nothing to worry about. In the past, some people tried to mislead by saying that southern states would suffer due to successful family planning. In fact, these southern states are fortunate to have controlled population growth and are benefiting despite having proportionately lower populations.

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Here are important FAQs on the bills

Question 1. What will be the new membership of Parliament, Legislative Assemblies and Union Territories?

Answer: The 131st Amendment Bill increases the constitutional limit from 550 elected seats (530 from states and 20 from UTs) to 850 (815 from states and 35 from UTs). The final number will be decided by the Delimitation Commission within this limit. The current number of elected members is 543.

State Legislative Assemblies: The constitutional limits of 500 (maximum) and 60 (minimum) remain unchanged. However, according to the Delimitation Bill, the number of members in each state Legislative Assembly must be a perfect multiple of its Lok Sabha seats. As parliamentary constituencies are redrawn, the size of the Legislative Assemblies will automatically adjust.

Union Territories with legislative assemblies: Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu and Kashmir. The number of seats in these territories will be determined by the Delimitation Commission. Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir have also extended the scope of women's reservation.

Question 2. Will the increase in Lok Sabha seats maintain the current ratio of states?

Answer: Unlikely. The current allocations were frozen based on the 1971 census. The new delimitation will use the latest published census data, which is effectively the 2011 census.

States with higher population growth since 1971, such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, are likely to gain seats. The relative share of southern and northeastern states may decline. These bills do not guarantee the maintenance of existing ratios.

Question 3. Will constituencies be designated for women?

Answer: No. The amendment provides for rotation, whereby seats reserved for women will rotate between constituencies after each delimitation. No seat will be permanently reserved.

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Question 4. Will there be any impact on SC/ST seats?

Answer: Yes. The Delimitation Commission will determine SC/ST reservations based on current population distribution. Districts with higher SC/ST populations may receive more seats, while other districts may lose seats.

For Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland, ST seats will be distributed on a proportional basis, replacing the old formulas that were part of the composition of the previous assemblies. The same approach will be adopted in Tripura.

Question 5. Who are the members of the Delimitation Commission?

Answer: The Commission will consist of three members: a sitting or retired Supreme Court judge (as Chairperson), the Chief Election Commissioner (or a nominated Election Commissioner), and the State Election Commissioner of the concerned state. Each state will also have 10 associate members: five Members of Parliament nominated by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and five Members of Legislative Assembly nominated by the Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly. These members do not have the right to vote.

Question 6. How will the Commission work?

Answer: The Commission has powers similar to a civil court. It can summon witnesses, subpoena documents, and request public records. It will publish a draft proposal, invite objections, hold a public hearing, and then issue a final order.

Once notified in the Gazette of India, these orders acquire the status of law and cannot be challenged in any court, nor can Parliament or State Legislatures make any changes to them.

These orders will only come into effect after the current House or Assembly is dissolved. The Election Commission can only correct technical errors later, without making any changes to the boundaries.

Question 7. Will a two-thirds majority be needed to pass all the two bills?

Answer: No. Only the 131st Constitutional Amendment requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament and the approval of at least half of the states. The Delimitation Bill can be passed with a simple majority.


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