news details |
|
|
| Population of Jammu equal to Kashmir, if not more | | Experts question 2011 census figures -- II | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 17: How did Kashmir's population increase by 14,11,000 in 10 years from 2001 to 2011 is a million dollar question. Was there a co-relation between the 75% increase in Kashmir's population between 1981 to 2001 and spurt in militancy during this period?, ask experts like Sanjeev Nayyar.
Whether the increase was due to higher fertility rates, because of those who crossed the border under Resettlement Plan or inflated numbers is unknown, they also ask. They also discuss the background on allocation of Assembly seats between Jammu province and Kashmir region.
"No census data was available in 1951 to decide the basis for single member Assembly segments (electoral districts) in the constituent Assembly of J&K. As per available information it has been claimed that by method of proportions, 100 seats were assumed for whole of J&K (including 25 for Pakistan Occupied J&K). This assumed a population of 40 lakhs in 1941 i.e. 40,000 per seat.
However, after the disturbances in October 1947 and using 1941 census data, only 30 seats were given to Jammu implying that one seat was kept for every 60,000 people of Jammu by the 'Delimitation Committee'. Corresponding figure for Kashmir was 43 seats making it one seat per 40,000 people.
Whereas on simple population basis (1941 proportions) there could have been around 36 to 37 seats distributed over Jammu and only around 35 to 36 seats in Kashmir.
Unlike other Indian States and as per J&K Representation of the Peoples Act of 1957, population is just one of the parameters for deciding the number of seats in the J&K Legislative Assembly, others being geographical compactness, nature of terrain, facilities for communication and like factors.
Going by these parameters Jammu should have got more seats, hence the basis on which 43 seats were given to Kashmir and 30 to Jammu in 1951 is questionable. Maybe it was to ensure that Kashmir exercises administrative control over the State.
Even after the J&K Representation of the People Act 1957 had come in force, the J&K Delimitation Commission in 1994 appears to have unfairly distributed the Single member Assembly segments only on the basis of population figures i.e. in the proportion of 27.18 and 31.34 (37 Seats to Jammu and 46 Seats to Kashmir).
Evaluation of population and voter numbers gives a feeling that something is amiss! Who will demystify these numbers to ascertain the actual number of people and voters?"
The issues raised by experts like Nayyar are valid and these need to be addressed so that the people come to know what is the actual population of Jammu province and Kashmir region and the people of Jammu province get representation in the Assembly as per its population/voters strength, land area, nature of terrain and accessibility. The people of Jammu province feel, and rightly so, that their representation in the Assembly is inadequate and that if they are to obtain their due share in the polity and economy of the State, they have to get representation in the Assembly they rightfully deserve. (Concluded) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
