PM backs delimitation exercise, grassroots democracy in J&K

What is the News? 

Delimitation of constituencies is being carried out in union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Recently, Prime Minister of India chaired a meeting with political parties of Jammu and Kashmir.  

What is Delimitation? 

• Delimitation is the redrawing of boundaries of an assembly or Lok Sabha constituency to reflect changes in the population of a region.  
• Conducted by: The Parliament enacts a Delimitation Act under Article 82 of the Constitution and an independent high-powered panel known as the Delimitation Commission is constituted by the President of India to carry out the exercise. 
• Composition: Retired Supreme Court judge, Chief Election Commissioner and Respective State Election Commissioners. 
• Associate members: Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies of states for which the Delimitation Commission is set up, are nominated as associate members to help the commission in its task.  
• Powers: The Delimitation Commission is a high power body whose orders have the force of law and cannot be called in question before any court. 

Delimitation in J&K: 

• Delimitation in J&K had followed a slightly different trajectory than in the rest of the country due to the special status it was accorded under Article 370.  
• While the delimitation of Lok Sabha seats in J&K was governed by the Constitution of India, Assembly seats allocation was governed under Jammu and Kashmir Representation of the People Act, 1957. 
• The last Delimitation exercise was conducted in J&K in 1995 based on the 1981 census. There was no census in the state in 1991.And after the 2001 census, the J&K assembly had passed a law putting on hold delimitation till 2026. 
• However, following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 Jammu and Kashmir lost its special status and became a Union Territory. Hence, a delimitation commission has been constituted to carve out Assembly and Parliament seats. 

Source: The Hindu