Dimapur, April 17 (MExN): Nagaland Member of Parliament S Supongmeren Jamir on Friday raised concerns in the House over the proposed linking of the Delimitation process with the implementation of the Women’s Reservation provisions under the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, calling for the Bill to be withdrawn or revised.
Raising the issue during the proceedings, Jamir said while he fully supported the intent and objective of ensuring adequate reservation for women in legislative bodies, such a progressive reform must not be delayed or complicated by procedural conditions like delimitation. “The Women's Reservation Act must be implemented in both letter and spirit without unnecessary postponement,” Jamir said.
The MP pointed out that under Articles 82 and 170(3) of the Constitution, delimitation can only take place after the publication of the first Census figures post-2026, adding that any attempt to prematurely link the two processes raises serious constitutional and procedural concerns.
Jamir also drew special attention to the North Eastern region, particularly Nagaland, urging that political arrangements and agreements, including the Framework Agreement and Agreed Positions with the Government of India, must be carefully examined and respected before any changes to parliamentary representation are undertaken.
“An Act of Parliament must not result in injustice to any region or community,” he said, cautioning that the proposed approach risks undermining the Government of India's declared policy commitments concerning the political settlement in the North East. It also raises questions about the fairness of population-to-representation ratios.
The MP further said the situation reflected a lack of urgency and seriousness in implementing women's reservation despite the Act already being in place, stressing that reforms of such national importance must not be left lingering in uncertainty.
Jamir strongly urged the government to reconsider the present approach and called for the Bill, in its current form, to be withdrawn or revised following thorough consultation and examination of all relevant aspects.
