Opposition MPs seek assurances on delimitation in Census, 2029

Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal speaking in the Lok Sabha during the winter session of Parliament, New Delhi, Tuesday, December 17, 2024. Photo credit: PTI

As Lok Sabha debate continued on Tuesday (December 17, 2024) on a bill to increase representation of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Goa Assembly, several opposition MPs stressed the need to conduct the nationwide 2021 census, which has been delayed for the first time. Some also doubted the Centre’s ability to delimit on time as there was “no sign” of a census. the beginning

The Lok Sabha was debating the Goa State Bill, 2024 on readjustment of representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly constituencies introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in August this year.

It is intended to empower the Census Commissioner to “ascertain or estimate” the population of Scheduled Tribes in Goa and subsequently notify them. Additionally, it enables the Election Commission (EC) to adjust seats in the Goa Assembly and reserve seats for Scheduled Tribes accordingly.

According to the Bill, the population of STs in Goa had increased significantly as per the 2011 census as compared to the 2001 census data.

While the 2001 census recorded 566 ST people in Goa, the 2011 census recorded Goa’s ST population at 1,49,275. An important reason for this increase in the ST population was the addition of three new communities—Kunbi, Gawda and Velip—to Goa’s ST list in 2003.

While speaking in overall support of the bill, several opposition MPs such as Pratima Mandal (Trinamool Congress), Supriya Sule (NCP(SP)), and Kirsan Namdev (Congress) questioned the government’s commitment to conduct a nationwide delimitation exercise. Silence around the 2021 census, which is yet to begin.

Ms Sule spoke on Tuesday seeking reassurance from the government on its commitment to hold another census, implement women’s reservation, and conduct a delimitation exercise – all by 2029, “because we don’t see much activity around the census”.

Ms. Sule pointed out that past records showed that the census exercise would cost around ₹ 12,000 crore but this time the demand for grants passed by the House showed a budget of only ₹ 1,000 crore.

His colleague Kirsan Namdev also said, ‘For the first time in 150 years, the census has been delayed in this country. Mr. Namdev added that his party not only supports the enumeration of Scheduled Tribes in Goa but further pushes for a nationwide caste census for all the people of Goa and the country.

Meanwhile, several MPs from the ruling coalition spoke in favor of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government and its commitment to the upliftment of tribals across the country.