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Politict:Amid the ongoing delimitation row in India, former Lok Sabha Secretary General P D T Achary has clarified that the allocation of seats among states is the responsibility of the Delimitation Commission, not the government.
Citing Article 81 of the Constitution of India, Achary said the Commission is an independent constitutional body that must function without interference from the Executive. While Parliament can decide the total number of seats in the Lok Sabha through a constitutional amendment, the distribution of those seats among states must be determined by the Commission.
He also raised concerns over the government’s attempt to push changes within a short time frame, stressing that any new formula for seat allocation requires detailed consultation with experts, state governments, and political parties.
According to Achary, the Delimitation Commission’s decisions carry the force of law once notified and are generally not subject to legal challenge, except in cases where they violate constitutional principles, as clarified by the Supreme Court of India.
On the issue of using outdated Census data, he questioned the rationale behind relying on older figures like the 2011 Census when newer data collection is already underway. He warned that such moves could disturb the constitutional framework laid down under Article 82 of the Constitution of India.
Achary also pointed out that the current formula under Article 81, based on equal population per constituency, may no longer be practical due to demographic changes. He suggested that India needs a new, rational, and scientific formula for seat allocation that balances population with regional representation.
He emphasised that this is a sensitive federal issue and cannot be resolved through quick parliamentary decisions. Instead, a broad-based consultation process is necessary to ensure fairness and maintain trust among all regions, especially the southern states.
