Rethinking Representation: Beyond Population Count

Context

Population count has traditionally been the cornerstone of policymaking and political representation in India. However, as the country approaches the expiration of the constitutional freeze on parliamentary seats in 2026, there is a need to rethink the criteria for delimitation and financial devolution. 

Historical Context of Delimitation in India

• Early Years After Independence: The first delimitation exercise in India occurred post-independence, based on the 1951 Census. It aimed to ensure equal representation across states in the Lok Sabha. Between 1951 and 1971, three major delimitation exercises adjusted parliamentary seats proportional to population growth. For instance, one Lok Sabha seat represented 7.3 lakh people in 1951, which increased to 10.1 lakh by 1971.
• The Constitutional Freeze: In 1976, through the 42nd Amendment Act, the number of Lok Sabha seats was frozen at 543 until 2026. This decision aimed to prevent over-representation of populous states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar while ensuring smaller states were not overshadowed. Despite substantial population growth since 1971, this freeze led to an increase in population representation per seat, creating disparities in political representation.

Challenges with Population-Based Representation

• Regional Disparities: Northern states with high population growth may gain parliamentary seats post-2026, while southern states with better demographic performance risk losing representation. This imbalance could exacerbate existing development divides between regions.
• Socio-Economic Inequities: A per capita-based approach often overlooks socio-economic factors such as income disparities, literacy levels, healthcare needs, and gender dynamics. Using population count alone fails to account for diverse needs across different regions.
• Impact on Federal Structure: The ongoing debates around delimitation have raised concerns about potential disruptions to India’s federal character. States fear that disproportionate representation could undermine regional autonomy.

Beyond Population Count: A Holistic Approach

• Incorporating Demographic Attributes: Policymakers should consider factors like age distribution, literacy rates, healthcare access, and economic performance alongside population numbers.For example, states with higher elderly populations may require greater healthcare allocations rather than simply relying on headcount-based metrics.
• Addressing Regional Disparities: Financial devolution must account for regional disparities by incorporating demographic performance into allocation criteria. The 15th Finance Commission’s use of 2011 Census data instead of 1971 data marked a step forward in this direction.
• Alternative Metrics for Representation: Population density can serve as a more equitable basis for delimitation compared to absolute population numbers.Other metrics such as socio-economic indicators or development indices could complement population data to ensure balanced representation.

The Way Forward

• Revisiting Delimitation Criteria: As India approaches the expiration of the constitutional freeze on parliamentary seats, it is essential to design delimitation exercises that uphold regional balance and federalism principles. A nuanced approach that integrates demographic diversity and socio-economic factors will be crucial.
• Promoting Inclusive Governance: Moving beyond population count will enable more inclusive governance by addressing the unique needs of different regions.Incorporating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into policymaking can help align resource allocation with broader developmental objectives.

Conclusion

India stands at a critical juncture where its democratic framework must evolve to address changing demographic realities. Rethinking delimitation criteria and financial devolution beyond simple population counts is essential for equitable representation. By adopting a balanced strategy that considers demographic attributes, socio-economic factors, and regional disparities, India can uphold its federal character while addressing emerging challenges of the 21st century.

Source: The Hindu

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. Discuss the limitations of using population count as the sole criterion for political representation and financial devolution. Suggest alternative approaches to ensure equitable governance.

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