Challenges of delimitation in India

Source: The post challenges of delimitation in India has been created, based on the article “The perfect cocktail of layered discrimination” published in “The Hindu” on 14th November 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2- polity- issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure.

Context: The article discusses the challenges of delimitation in India. It highlights how reallocating Lok Sabha seats based on population growth could harm non-Hindi states. Solutions include freezing delimitation, decentralizing power, or balancing representation to preserve federalism and unity.

For detailed information on Delimitation Exercise read this article here

What is Delimitation?

Delimitation is the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral constituencies based on population. Article 82 of the Constitution mandates this after every Census. However, the process was frozen in 1976 and 2001 to avoid penalizing states that controlled population growth. This freeze ends in 2026 unless extended.

Why is Delimitation Controversial?

1. Disparity in Population Growth: States with lower Total Fertility Rates (TFR), such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu (1.6-1.8), have successfully controlled population growth. In contrast, Hindi-speaking states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have TFRs around 3.5, leading to potential shifts in representation.
2. Reduction in Representation: If delimitation occurs, the proportion of Lok Sabha seats from southern states may drop from 25% to 17%, while Hindi-speaking states’ representation may rise from 40% to 60%.
3. Economic Contribution vs Representation: States like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu contribute far more to direct taxes but receive only 30% of their contributions in return. In contrast, states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh receive 250%-350% of their contributions.
4. Imbalance in Political Power: Southern states would lose influence, while Hindi-speaking states, dominated by the BJP, would gain electoral dominance, leading to skewed policymaking at the Union level.
5. Ethno-Linguistic Shift: Since 1947, Hindi speakers’ population proportion has risen from 36% to 43%, nearing a majority. This could threaten India’s federal structure, designed to balance diverse ethno-linguistic groups.

For detailed information on Revised delimitation exercise read this article here

What are Possible Solutions?

1. Extend the freeze on delimitation: Continue the approach of Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee by postponing delimitation for another 25 years to maintain current political stability.
2. Permanently freeze seat redistribution: Avoid inter-state redistribution of Lok Sabha seats to prevent political imbalances.
3. Balance delimitation with decentralization: Implement delimitation but expand the State List, abolish the Concurrent List, and transfer more powers from the Union to the States.
4. Increase the number of seats in each state: Preserve current proportions while increasing total seats to address population growth, reducing representational disparities.
   These solutions aim to preserve federalism and prevent regional dominance.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the potential impact of the delimitation exercise on India’s federal structure and regional representation.