(Image source from: Hindustan Times)
The Centre is set to introduce a 33 percent quota for women in the Lok Sabha starting with the general elections in 2029. This initiative comes on the heels of the enactment of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, a constitutional amendment aimed at enhancing the role of women in national governance, according to informed sources. The implementation of these reservation measures will only take effect following a new delimitation of parliamentary constituencies. Presently, there is a legal halt on any delimitation activities until 2026. Once this freeze is lifted, any delimitation process will necessitate a constitutional amendment, which must receive endorsement from both Houses of Parliament. Sources indicate that preparations are in progress to facilitate the delimitation process immediately after the freeze ends. A Delimitation Commission will be established, tasked with traveling to various states, gathering inputs, and generating a report to recommend any adjustments.
Concerns have been raised by southern states, which historically have had better success with population management. They worry that a new delimitation based on updated population data might lead to a decrease in their legislative representation. Government officials are attentive to these concerns and have assured that the political representation of southern states will not be undermined. Plans are being explored to guarantee fair representation and to ensure that states which have effectively managed their populations do not face disadvantages in the upcoming seat allocation framework. The next census, originally slated for 2021 but postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, is anticipated to utilize advanced technologies to streamline the process. According to reports, a mobile application capable of collecting data in 16 different Indian languages will be employed in the census efforts, along with Aadhaar verification. Moreover, the census will also integrate biometric data collection and employ artificial intelligence tools.
