Karnataka - Belgaum   

Delimitation Commission winds up hearings in State

Staff Correspondent

Final notification by the end of July, says Kuldip Singh

TAKING NOTE: Delimitation Commission Chairman Kuldip Singh at the public hearing held in Belgaum on Friday.

Belgaum: Any amendment to the published draft notification on delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies will be made on the basis of "reasoning" and not because of popular or political pressure, Kuldip Singh, Chairman of the Delimitation Commission, has said.

Winding up the Commission's last public hearing in the State here on Friday, he said the Commission would consider all valid reasons submitted by elected representatives and members of public in support or against the proposals made in the draft notification and complimented the people for participating in large numbers in the public hearings.

`Panel is autonomous'

He said the Commission was independent and autonomous, and nobody should be under the impression that it could be pressured or influenced.

Associate members of the Commission, including M. Mallikarjun Kharge, P.G.R. Sindhia, H.N. Ananth Kumar and Basanagouda Patil R. Yatnal and State Election Commissioner M.R. Hegde were present at the public hearing conducted for the seven districts in Belgaum revenue division: Bagalkot, Bijapur, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Uttara Kannada and Belgaum.

In addition to the objections and suggestions already made, a large number people made fresh submissions, which were accepted by the Commission. The Commission came across two major grievances in Belgaum revenue division: violation of the norm on ensuring geographical contiguity while merging or transferring villages for altering territorial boundaries of existing constituencies and reservation criteria.

The objections have come despite the Commission working for nearly two years in collecting data and preparing a working paper. Before releasing the draft, the Commission held several meetings with the associated members. The public hearings are the final stage of the delimitation exercise.

To meet in Delhi

Mr. Singh said the Commission would meet in New Delhi on May 24 to take stock of the objections and suggestions received during the public hearings.

The final notification could be expected by the end of July, he said.

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