Balanced Decadal Growth Average delimitation formula

• The Joint Action Committee, formed by southern states, has demanded delimitation be deferred or delinked from population.

• Southern states fear their role in lawmaking will decrease if population growth is used for delimitation.

• The Centre’s proposal to increase the number of MPs, which has been frozen since 1973, is not convincing.

• The Centre is looking to increase the 543 seats to 753, based on a Statewise population growth formula.

• The Centre is duty-bound to ensure fair representation and cannot afford to hurt the sentiments of an entire region.

• The Centre is considering the interests of the southern States due to duty-bound duty to ensure fair representation and the potential for sharp disparities within the country’s population.

• Three approaches for delimitation using population growth are proposed: State-wise population growth, Decadal Growth Average (DGA) formula, and the Decadal Growth Average (DGA) formula.

• The DGA formula would allow the Centre to safeguard the interests of all States while recognising both population growth and development.

• The only requirement would be to amend Article 81(2)(a), which currently mandates that Lok Sabha seat allocation be proportional to each State’s population, ensuring equal representation per member.

• Adopting the DGA formula would address regional concerns and uphold the principles of federalism, pave the way for future delimitations without any disputes or protests.