Date:19/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/19/stories/2008031960141300.htm

National

Delimitation: Bhardwaj rules out changes

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Union Law Minister H.R. Bhardwaj on Tuesday told the Rajya Sabha that despite the delimitation exercise affecting the status of several constituencies “to the unhappiness of MLAs and MPs,” no change could be brought about now as the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission had been notified.

He said the Election Commission had sought six to eight months to revise the electoral rolls and it was not possible to make any changes now.

“Elections are due in one year. The Election Commission has written to me that they require six to eight months to revise the rolls. Elections will now have to take place in accordance with the delimited constituencies,” he told the Elders, while seeking approval for the replacement of the ordinance with the Delimitation (Amendment) Bill and the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill 2008.

Both the Bills were approved. The Lok Sabha had passed them on Monday.

Responding to criticism by the BJP member from Chhattisgarh, Shreegopal Vyas, about the reduction in the seats of Scheduled Ttribes from 34 to 29 after the delimitation exercise, Mr. Bhardwaj said the Chief Minister had written to him about the discrepancy after the notification, but by then nothing could be done as it had already become law [through an ordinance].

Several leaders asked the government not to interfere in the Commission’s functioning and implement its recommendations.

He said the BJP and the Left wanted the recommendations to be notified early and the government did exactly that.