The central government has taken a significant step toward bringing about a major change in the country's politics. The government has sent drafts of three important bills, including constitutional amendments, to lawmakers to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats, expedite the delimitation process, and expedite the implementation of women's reservations.
What is the whole matter?
The government is preparing to increase the Lok Sabha from its current 543 seats to approximately 850. It also proposes to use the 2011 census as the basis for delimitation, thereby speeding up the process.
This move will have a direct impact on the country's electoral politics, representation of states and the structure of Parliament.
How will Lok Sabha seats increase?
Proposal to amend Article 81 of the Constitution
Maximum seats for states: 815
For Union Territories: 35 seats
Total Expected Seats: 850
Women's Reservation: When and how will it be implemented?
The government has paved the way for early implementation of women reservation by linking it with delimitation.
Reservation Percentage: 33%
Likely to come into effect: 2029 Lok Sabha elections
Tenure: 15 years (extendable later)
Rotation system: Seats will change every election
Reservation will also be applicable in SC/ST seats.
Major change on delimitation
Earlier, women reservation was to be implemented after the new census, but now the government has opened the way for delimitation on the basis of the “latest published census” (2011).
The Delimitation Commission will determine the new seats.
The distribution of seats between states will change.
Representation will increase according to population.
Important amendments proposed in the Constitution
A new definition of “population” will be decided
More explicit powers to the Delimitation Commission
Changes to several articles (55, 81, 82, 170, 330, 332)
Why is this change considered necessary?
The seats based on the 1971 census were frozen for a long time.
Major changes in the population and demographic structure of the country
Pressure to increase women's political participation
New areas need to be given proper representation
What will happen next?
These bills were discussed in a special sitting of Parliament.
The government is trying to get these passed soon.
Opposition busy in making strategy
If implemented, these proposals would be the biggest change in India's parliamentary system. The size of the Lok Sabha would increase, women's participation would strengthen, and the political equations between states could be completely altered.
