National

Parliament approves Delimitation Bill

NEW DELHI MAY 15. Parliament today approved the Delimitation Bill 2002, with the Rajya Sabha passing it by a voice-vote. The Bill, passed by the Lok Sabha earlier, provides for fresh delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies.

Replying to the debate, the Law Minister, Arun Jaitley, said the readjustment of constituencies would be done on the basis of the 1991 census as the report of 2001 would be made public only in 2004.

Mr. Jaitley also rejected the suggestion to rotate reserved seats, stating it would create further complications.

The Minister opposed granting of voting rights to associate members of the Delimitation Commission. He assured members that the delimitation work would be completed in two years. The job had become much easier as there was no increase in number of seats. Similarly, with the introduction of computers, it would be expedited.

The Bill proposes to constitute a three-member Delimitation Commission, which will recommend readjustment of allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies in two years.

Earlier, moving the Bill for consideration, Mr. Jaitley said the readjustment had become necessary as the last such exercise was taken up on the basis of the 1971 census by the Delimitation Commission constituted in 1972.

Sarla Maheshwari (CPI-M) said the Commission should not confine itself to determining the geographical boundaries but view the challenges and dangers like corruption and nepotism faced by democratic polity.

Pranab Mukherjee (Congress) took exception to Mrs. Maheshwari raising 30-year-old scandals like the Nagarwala episode that was not relevant for the Delimitation Bill. The issue was debated in Parliament many times in the past and a Judicial Commission had found no substance in the allegation after examining the matter. Repeating the same allegations involving two leaders who were no longer alive was not fair, he said.``I don't think any Indian leader can stoop to the level of accepting a few dollars from the U.S. intelligence agency, irrespective of their political affiliations,'' he said.

Mr. Mukherjee said that while accommodating the reserved seats by the Commission, it should ensure that no `serious disturbance' is caused to the general category of seats.

V. Maitreyan (AIADMK) said the Commission should offer a level playing field for all candidates by eliminating anomalies in both Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies.

The Commission should consider granting additional `premium seats' for the States carrying out good work in family planning. C.P. Thirunavukkarasu (AIADMK), differed with Mr. Gautam. He said there should be no rotation of reserved seats.

He wanted the Centre to issue directions under Article 256 of the Constitution to Pondicherry to conduct panchayat elections as no elections were held for the last three decades. — UNI

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