D.K. Shivakumar seeks ‘fairness’ for Southern states in devolution and delimitation

D.K. Shivakumar seeks 'fairness' for Southern states in devolution and delimitation Pride demands fairness in return.

Key points

• According to He additionally, the 15th Finance Commission's recommended special grant of ₹5, 495 crore and State-specific grants of ₹6, 000 crore had not been published.
• While welcoming the growth in Karnataka's share to 4.131% under the 16th Finance Commission, Mr.
• Southern Zonal Council meet: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay seeks fair, equitable treatment of southern States from Centre.
• Southern Zonal Council meet: Puducherry L-G seeks backing of Centre, Tamil Nadu to implement water supply plan.
• According to Shivakumar, the five states accounted for almost 33% of the country's GDP despite having regarding 20% of its population.

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, left, in conversation with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, during the 31st Session of the Southern Zonal Council (SZC) at Mahabalipuram, in Chengalpattu district, on August 20, 2026. Photo Credit: PTI.

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar created a pitch for "fairness in funds, voice and respect" for Southern states. It form the "engine of the Indian economy", addressing the 31st gathering of the Southern Zonal Council at Mahabalipuram, chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah.

He forwarded the expansion argument to demand both better devolution of taxes for southern states and fair representation in delimitation. The Chief Minister pressed the Council to adopt a resolution calling upon the Union administration to honour the 1971 census as the basis for delimitation, retain the Lok Sabha's existing strength of 543 seats for the next 25 years, and accommodate women's reservation within these existing seats, according to a communique by the CMO.

Speaking on financial strength of the south, Mr. According to Shivakumar, the five states accounted for almost 33% of the country's GDP despite having regarding 20% of its population. He highlighted Karnataka as one of the strongest drivers of this expansion and stated it accounted for 42% of India's software exports, hosted around 1, 100 Global Capability Centres and attracted over 21% of India's FDI equity inflows between 2019 and 2025. "The State, with 5.5% of India's population, contributes about 9% to the country's GDP, " he remarked.

"Pride demands fairness in return. We have always done our part. We contribute, we build, we grow, and we carry the nation forward. All we ask from the Union administration is this: please care as much as we share, " he stated.

Mr. Shivakumar remarked Karnataka's share in the divisible pool under the 15th Finance Commission had fallen from 4.7% to 3.6% which he stated resulted in an estimated loss of ₹ 65, 000 crore to the State over six years.

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, centre, in a photograph with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, fourth left, Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan, third left, Telangana Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu, second left, Karnataka Cabinet Minister Priyank Kharge, fourth right, Telangana Cabinet Minister Tummala Nageswar Rao, left, and others during the 31st Session of the Southern Zonal Council (SZC) at Mahabalipuram, in Chengalpattu district on August 20, 2026. Photo Credit: X/@CMofKarnataka.

While welcoming the growth in Karnataka's share to 4.131% under the 16th Finance Commission, Mr. Shivakumar remarked the State's share should ultimately be restored to 4.7%. "Karnataka is the second largest contributor to GST and to Income Tax, and a State that performs on growth and revenue deserves to be incentivised, not penalised, " he remarked.

On delimitation, the Chief Minister remarked, "We welcome the assurance that no southern state will lose seats. But representation is not only regarding numbers. It is regarding weight, and concerning voice."

Mr. Shivakumar pressed the 1971 population basis to be honoured and the South's representation to be protected both in absolute numbers and proportion.

He additionally called on the Southern Zonal Council to adopt a resolution freezing the number of Lok Sabha seats at the current level while providing women's reservation within that existing number.

Mr. Shivakumar remarked the South's success in controlling its population must not become a reason for reducing its political 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, " he remarked. The Chief Minister remarked protecting the South's political voice was integral to ensuring fairness within India's federal structure.

Puducherry CM skips Southern Zonal Council session, attends in official events in Union Territory.

In short, D.K. Shivakumar seeks 'fairness' for Southern states in devolution and delimitation is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.