Why in the News?

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has called for an all-party meeting on March 5 to discuss the delimitation exercise, aiming to start a national discussion on the issue.

What is the primary concern of Tamil Nadu regarding the delimitation exercise?

• Loss of Parliamentary Representation: Tamil Nadu fears that if delimitation is based solely on population size, it may lose Lok Sabha seats due to its lower population growth compared to northern States. For instance, while Tamil Nadu’s electorate grew by 171% (1971-2024), undivided Bihar’s grew by 233%, which could lead to a reduction in Tamil Nadu’s political influence.
• Penalty for Population Control Success: Tamil Nadu is concerned that its effective population control measures will be penalized. States with higher fertility rates (e.g., Uttar Pradesh, Bihar) might gain seats, while those with lower growth like Tamil Nadu and Kerala could lose out, despite their better health and development indicators.

What are the potential impacts of the delimitation exercise?

• Shift in Political Power Dynamics: Delimitation could increase the number of representatives from northern States with higher populations (e.g., Uttar Pradesh and Bihar), thereby shifting political influence away from southern and western States that have implemented effective population control measures.
• Federal Imbalance and Regional Inequality: Southern states that perform better in terms of health, education, and population control may feel penalized. For example, Kerala’s successful population policies could lead to fewer seats despite its contributions to national development, undermining the principle of cooperative federalism.
• Resource Allocation Disparities: More seats for northern States could lead to greater influence over Union Budget allocations and central schemes, potentially reducing the share of resources to States with fewer representatives like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
• Political Tensions and Regional Discontent: Perceived favoritism towards northern States could increase regional tensions. For example, Tamil Nadu’s call for an all-party meeting reflects concerns that their voices will be marginalized, which may fuel political agitation and demands for policy reassessment.

Why was the delimitation exercise frozen based on the 1971 Census?

• To Ensure Fairness Among States with Varying Population Growth: This aimed to protect the political representation of States that successfully implemented population control policies.
  • Example: Southern States like Tamil Nadu and Kerala have lower population growth but would lose seats if delimitation were updated, while Uttar Pradesh and Bihar would gain due to their higher population increases.
• To Maintain the Balance of Power in Federal Governance: The freeze ensured that the distribution of parliamentary seats did not disrupt the federal structure by over-representing certain regions. This preserved a geographical balance in national decision-making.
  • Example: Despite Tamil Nadu’s slower population growth, its 39 Lok Sabha seats remain unchanged since 1971, allowing it to maintain a significant voice in national policies.

What steps has the Union government taken to clarify its position on maintaining proportional representation for Southern States?

• Delimitation Freeze Extension: The government extended the freeze on parliamentary seat allocation based on population through the 42nd Amendment (1976) until 2001, and later extended it to 2026 through the 84th Amendment (2001).
• Equitable Resource Allocation: The 15th Finance Commission (2021-26) used a balanced approach by including both population (2011 Census) and demographic performance to ensure fair distribution of resources, addressing concerns of Southern states.
  • Example: The Commission allocated 12.5% weightage for demographic performance, rewarding states with better population control.
• Consultative Processes: The Union government engages with Southern states through inter-state council meetings and Finance Commission consultations to address their concerns about fair representation and resource distribution.
  • Example: In 2023, the government held deliberations on the implications of delimitation and reassured Southern states of equitable consideration in future seat revisions.

Way forward: 

• Balanced Delimitation Framework: Implement a hybrid approach that considers both population size and demographic performance to ensure fair representation without penalizing states with successful population control policies.
• Strengthen Federal Dialogue: Regular consultative mechanisms through Inter-State Councils and Finance Commissions to address regional concerns, ensuring equitable resource allocation and preserving the spirit of cooperative federalism.

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