J&K delimitation complex issue, not mere arithmetic, says panel

SRINAGAR/ JAMMU: The delimitation process is a complex issue and not mere arithmetic, the delimitation commission said at the end of their four-day visit to Jammu & Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference in Jammu and virtually in Srinagar, the commission members said the process will be completed in a transparent manner and the final draft will be put in public domain for objections and queries after associate members are consulted.
After having threadbare discussions with political parties, civil society groups and NGO heads in the state, members of the commission hinted at giving due representation to the people belonging to Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste groups in the newly-constituted Assembly.
Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra, who is the ex-officio member of the commission, said: “In the past four days, we met 290 groups in Srinagar, Pahalgam, Kishtwar and Jammu. There was overwhelming response and people travelled long distances to meet us. We listened to every delegation.”
Countering People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti's allegations that everything was pre-planned, said: “If things were decided earlier, the commission would not have come here. Nothing is pre-planned. Before starting the exercise, we want to have the views of all. The apprehensions in the mind of anyone, if at all, should go away,” he added.
“In the last census, done in 2001, there were only 12 districts. The number of districts has now gone up to 12. Similarly, there were only 58 tehsils, which at present stands at 270,” he said.
“Difficult terrains were not acknowledged in the earlier delimitation done in 1995. Population has to be the main criteria for delimitation but priority will also be on area, geography, topography and communication facilities of the areas,” he said.
Chairperson of the commission, Justice (retd) Ranjana Prakash Desai said, “This is our first visit to J&K and I assure you, this is not the last, will come again to know the viewpoint of many more.”