Delimitation and Tax Devolution
Delimitation: Redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituency boundaries based on population changes to ensure fair political representation.
Tax Devolution: The process of distributing central taxes to states fairly, based on their population, economic contribution, and needs.
Historical Context
In 1976, delimitation was frozen due to uneven population growth across states.
Postponed again in 2001, now set for 2026, with no updates since the 2021 Census.
The aim was to allow regional development to catch up, but disparities have persisted.
Regional Disparities
Wealth Gap: States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and southern states have seen economic growth, while U.P., Bihar, and M.P. lag behind.
Population Trends: The population share of economically backward states has increased, while advanced states have seen stable or declining shares.
Impact on Representation: If delimitation happens now, wealthier states may lose political influence to less developed regions.
The Way Forward
The debate isn’t just about the north-south divide but about addressing broader regional inequalities.
A national priority is needed to balance economic development, political representation, and fair resource distribution.
COMMENTS