Delimitation panel chief agrees to realign constituencies only after census reviewed"

Major Events Vol. 2 Issue No. 7

July 7 - 21, 2003

Delimitation panel chief agrees to realign constituencies only after census reviewed"

A delegation from Manipur had urged the chairman of the Delimitation Commission Justice Kuldip Singh to realign constituencies only after census reviewed. The delegation claimed that the chairman had consented to initiate the process of realignment of Assembly constituencies of the state after rectification of the erroneous 2001 census population figures.

Outer Manipur MP Holkhomang Haokip, Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, Works Minister Gaikhangam, and Manipur People's Party MLA Dr Nimaichand Luwang were part of the delegation along with Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh and MP T. Chouba Singh.

The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Commission chairman to the effect that the provisional census figures of 2001 do not reflect the correct picture on the ground, and urged that the district-wise distribution of seats should not be disturbed until the completion of review of the census figures.
The delegation noted that the overall population growth in Manipur during the period 1991-2001 has been around 30%, and the spurt by about 70-80% in some of the hill districts and some areas of the valley is unrealistic and unacceptable.

The delegation made it clear that the 2001 census figures are provisional data, and asserted that the state will review the data. Until then, the delegation members urged, the status quo may be maintained.
The delegation also cautioned that any move to distribute seats on the basis of the 2001 census would lead to trouble in the State.

The delegation also Registrar General of India (Census Operations), and had detailed discussions on the controversial 2001 census report. In the meeting, the delegation expressed the same view and urged to review the census report accordingly in the larger interests of the State.

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