Why in the News?

Recently, the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, N. Chandrababu Naidu and M.K. Stalin, expressed their frustration over the proposed delimitation exercise, which might lead to their states losing parliamentary seats.

How Does Population Control Influence Delimitation?

• Population as the Basis for Representation: Delimitation exercises are based on the population count, which determines the number of seats allocated to states in Parliament.
• Southern States’ Success in Population Control: Southern states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, which have achieved lower fertility rates, face the risk of reduced parliamentary representation.
• Demographic Divide: States with higher population growth (mainly in northern India) may gain more seats, leading to an imbalance in political representation.

What are the implications of current demographic trends on political representation?

• Seat Redistribution: The impending delimitation exercise, scheduled for 2026, may lead to a significant redistribution of Lok Sabha seats.
  • Estimates suggest that states like Uttar Pradesh could gain up to 14 additional seats, while Tamil Nadu might lose several, decreasing its representation from 39 to potentially 30 seats.
• Federal Structure Concerns: The southern states argue that using population counts for political representation undermines the federal structure of India. They contend that it is unjust to penalize regions that have successfully managed population growth while rewarding those with higher growth rates.

What are the arguments for and against reversing population control measures during delimitation?

Reversing population refers to attempts to increase fertility rates through incentives, aiming to counteract declining population growth trends.

• Argument in favour of Reversal:

• • Political Strategy: South political leaders advocate for incentivizing larger families as a means to maintain or increase political representation in light of the delimitation concerns.
  • Cultural Context: There is a push to celebrate larger families as a cultural norm, with comments from leaders suggesting an exaggerated approach to family size as a humorous response to the delimitation threat.
• Argument against Reversal:
  • Long-term Consequences: Experts argue that reversing fertility rates through incentives may not be effective or sustainable. Historical examples, such as China’s one-child policy, illustrate the challenges and unintended consequences of aggressive population control measures.
  • Social Support Necessity: Encouraging higher birth rates without adequate social support for families could place additional burdens on women and society at large. Effective policies should focus on providing necessary support rather than merely increasing birth rates.

What reforms are necessary for a fair delimitation process? (Way forward)

• Equitable Representation Criteria: Reforms should consider not only population counts but also socio-economic characteristics, ensuring that regions with successful population management are not unfairly penalized in political representation.
• Stakeholder Consultations: Increased dialogue among stakeholders is essential to address concerns regarding the delimitation process. This could involve re-evaluating how political representation is determined based on demographic trends and regional development successes.
• Migration Policies: To address regional population imbalances, promoting migration could serve as a viable solution alongside revising how political representation is allocated based on demographic characteristics rather than sheer numbers alone.

Mains PYQ:

Q Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail. (UPSC IAS/2021)

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