By: Ibni Maqbool
Srinagar: The Delimitation Commission constituted by the Government of India to redraw Jammu and Kashmir’s electoral map is likely to get another extension.
Sources told The Precious Kashmir that there is a strong possibility that the panel headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice (retd.) Ranjana Desai is likely to get an extension beyond March 5, 2022 to complete its work.
“The panel’s extended tenure is coming to an end on March 5, 2022 but it is yet to complete certain phases of the exercise. So it is likely to get one more extension,” they said, adding that there are bleak chances that the panel would finish its work before the March 5, 2022 deadline.
On March 6, 2020, the Government of India constituted the delimitation commission for fixing boundaries of 90 Assembly seats of Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory. It has also been mandated to reserve seats for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes within the 90 seats.
On December 20, 2021, the panel shared details about district-wise seat allocation with associate members from Jammu & Kashmir.
According to the proposal shared with associate members, Jammu will get six additional seats and Kashmir only one seat.
The commission also told the associate members that nine seats would be reserved for STs and seven for SCs.
Sources told The Precious Kashmir that the commission will now focus on drawing boundaries for the 90 Assembly segments.
“The panel would share details about cartography of assembly segments with associate members and ask them to come up with their suggestions/objections on the proposal,” they said, adding that the panel would then put proposals in public domain to seek feedback from public/political parties.
According to sources, the commission would also hold public sittings at different places in Jammu & Kashmir to decide on suggestions/ objections received from the public.
