CM Shivakumar: Delimitation must be based on 1971 census

BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday flagged delimitation and women's reservation problems at the Southern Zonal Council gathering chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.

Key points

• Water from the Mekedatu project will support farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
• "Our share of representation cannot be reduced, in absolute numbers or in proportion, " Shivakumar remarked.
• They accept that every riparian state has legitimate needs and the state's stand rests on three principles: equity, transparency, cooperation.
• Shivakumar objected to public sector undertakings (PSUs) auctioning land allotted to them by state governments.
• The CM remarked there were a number of instances where beneficiaries were disposing of land parcels without obtaining the concurrence of the appropriate state authorities.

He pressed the Southern Zonal Council to adopt a resolution asking the Union administration to honour the 1971 census for delimitation, retain 543 Lok Sabha seats for the next 25 years and provide women's reservation within the existing seats. He additionally called upon southern states to shift from "water sharing" to "water cooperation".

Meanwhile, the south answered the nation's call and controlled its population with discipline and success and the success must never become the reason to create its voice smaller, he stated. "Our economic weight must be matched with political voice, " he remarked. Water must unite states, notes DKS.

"Our share of representation cannot be reduced, in absolute numbers or in proportion, " Shivakumar remarked. He pressed the council to move a resolution to freeze the current number of seats in Lok Sabha and provide women's reservation within that. "I call upon my fellow chief ministers to stand together behind our shared stand, " he remarked.

Shivakumar remarked they welcome the assurance that no southern state will lose seats, but representation is not only concerning numbers, it is additionally concerning weight and regarding voice. "I am confident that all the chief ministers here will backing me in what I say. Let the 1971 basis be honoured and let the strength of our voice be protected, " Shivakumar said, adding that the implementation of women's reservation should not be delayed on account of a fresh delimitation exercise as "women have waited long enough for their rightful representation".

Meanwhile, the CM remarked India's expansion story runs through the south. "Our five states hold regarding 20 percent of India's population, yet contribute almost 33 percent of its GDP. One out of every three rupees in this economy comes from the south. And within this engine of the Indian economy, Karnataka is one of the strongest drivers, " he remarked.

Stating that pride demands fairness in return, Shivakumar remarked under the 15th Finance Commission, Karnataka's share in the divisible pool fell from 4.7 per cent to 3.6 per cent, a cut of almost 23 per cent, causing a loss of an estimated Rs 65, 000 crore to the state over six years. The 15th Finance Commission recommended a special grant of Rs 5, 495 crore and state-specific grants of Rs 6, 000 crore to the state, but these recommended grants were not published, he stated.

Since the Finance Commission report has already been accepted and the state's shares have become final, he called upon the Union administration to do justice to Karnataka through further central projects like the Bengaluru-Mumbai high-speed rail project, STRR South, AIIMS for Raichur and a special package for Kalyana Karnataka.

Meanwhile, the CM flagged the matter of the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir project, stating that it is an notable project not only for Karnataka, but for Tamil Nadu as well. Water from the Mekedatu project will support farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. He pressed a shift from "water sharing" to "water cooperation". "Our rivers do not recognise political boundaries. Notably, the Cauvery, the Krishna, the Tungabhadra, the Pennar and the Palar are the lifelines of the Southern peninsula. Water must unite us, not divide us. The time has come to move from water sharing to water cooperation, " the CM remarked.

They accept that every riparian state has legitimate needs and the state's stand rests on three principles: equity, transparency, cooperation. But cooperation must run both ways, he remarked. "Karnataka has always respected its neighbours' rights, and asks only that our own be respected in return, our lawful share under the tribunal awards and the timely completion of the projects that carry water to our farmers, " he continued.

"Today morning, I obtained a call from my office-holders that ITI. It has become non-functional, is auctioning land. We offer lands to PSUs, and when they are shut down or go out of business, they auction the lands. As we have given them the land, such lands should be returned to the administration. As a state administration, we will go to court and stop this and additionally not offer permission to develop these lands, " he remarked.

Meanwhile, the CM remarked there were a number of instances where beneficiaries were disposing of land parcels without obtaining the concurrence of the appropriate state authorities. He remarked state governments should have a say in the utilisation or disposal of such land.

In short, CM Shivakumar: Delimitation must be based on 1971 census is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.