Why Southern states are uneasy about delimitation?

Why in the NEWS?

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the southern states will not lose "a single seat" after delimitation.

Key points:

• The population growth rate in south India has been slower than in north India.
• This has led to concerns among southern states that their parliamentary seats may decrease after delimitation.
• North Indian states are seeing a rapid population growth due to higher birth rates, which could lead to more seats for them.
• This could lead to an imbalance in parliamentary representation.

What will you read next in this topic?

1. What is delimitation?
2. History of Delimitation in India
3. Why are southern states nervous about delimitation?

What is delimitation?

• Delimitation is the process under which parliamentary (Lok Sabha) and state assembly seats are reorganized on the basis of population. 
• Its main objective is to ensure that all constituencies have the same number of voters and parliamentary representation is in line with the population.

Why is delimitation done?

• Balanced representation – To ensure that all areas get equal representation according to their population.
• Voter balance – Every constituency should have approximately the same number of voters so that the democratic process remains fair.
• Adjustment of demographic changes – The population of different states and regions changes over time, making the reorganization of seats necessary.
• Constitutional obligation – Delimitation is a constitutional provision, which is mandatory to be done from time to time.

Process of delimitation

• Census data – Delimitation is done on the basis of census.
• Formation of Delimitation Commission – The Central Government appoints a Delimitation Commission, which includes the judiciary, Election Commission and other experts.
• Reorganisation of seats – The boundaries of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies are redrawn according to the population.
• Report and notification – The Delimitation Commission gives its recommendations, which are implemented after the President’s assent.

History of Delimitation in India

• 1951, 1961 and 1971 – Delimitation took place after each census.
• Moratorium in 1976 – Delimitation was halted till 2001 under the 42nd Constitutional Amendment.
• 2001 delimitation – Boundaries of constituencies were changed, but the number of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats remained unchanged.
• Possible delimitation in 2026 – The next delimitation is likely, in which the number of seats may change.

Why are southern states nervous about delimitation?

• South Indian states have focused on family planning and population control for decades.
• These states invested in education, health and economic development, which kept their birth rates relatively low.
• Now, redistribution of seats on the basis of population may harm them.
• South Indian parties argue that states that have succeeded in population control should not be penalised.
• They also demanded that not only population but also development, tax contribution and other factors should be taken into account in determining parliamentary seats.
• Southern states feel that this policy is a conspiracy to reduce their political influence.
• There may be large-scale protests on this issue in states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Some experts suggest that seats should be determined on the basis of economic contribution or Human Development Index instead of population.