Background Context:
- India’s delimitation process was originally designed to adjust the Lok Sabha seats based on population changes after every Census.
- However, concerns over population stabilization disparities led to the freezing of delimitation in 1976, postponed again in 2001, and further extended until 2026 through constitutional amendments.
- With regional disparities in economic growth and demographic changes, a potential reapportionment of constituencies in 2026 could alter the political representation of States.
Relevance : GS 2(Polity , Governance)
Key Issues in Delimitation and Political Representation:
Population Growth vs. Political Power Redistribution
- Southern and Western States have seen slower population growth, while northern and central States (e.g., Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh) have grown demographically.
- If delimitation is based on the current population, it could shift political power to States with higher fertility rates, reducing representation for those with stable or declining populations.
Economic Disparities and Governance Challenges
- In 1961, many States had comparable income levels (Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh similar to U.P., Bihar, Rajasthan).
- By 2001, southern and western States had economically advanced, while U.P., Bihar, M.P. declined further.
- By 2024, the income gap widened, with the economically weaker States also gaining a larger population share.
- A key concern is that economically advanced States could lose political influence, impacting their say in resource allocation and policy decisions.
Tax Devolution and Resource Distribution
- The Finance Commission uses population as a key criterion for resource allocation.
- If delimitation increases representation for lagging States, they may get greater control over tax distribution, despite their lower economic productivity.
- This raises concerns about whether progressive taxation and federal support will remain equitable and efficient.
Key Takeaways:
- Framing the debate as a North-South divide is inaccurate; it is fundamentally about regional economic and demographic disparities.
- Delimitation, if done purely on a population basis, could weaken political influence of economically stronger States.
- Alternative solutions may need to be explored, such as weighting political representation with economic contributions to maintain equitable federalism.
- Addressing regional disparities must be a national priority, ensuring a balanced governance framework that promotes both economic and demographic justice.
