December 17, 2024
Pratima Mondal’s speech on The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024
Madam, on behalf of the All India Trinamool Congress, I rise to speak on the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024. मैडम, सहन्दी मेंएक कहावत है– ‘देर आए पर दरुुस्त आए।’ िेसकन इस सबि को पढ़नेके बाद एक बार सफर सेयह स्पष्ट हो गया हैसक यह सरकार बोिनेमेंमासहर है, िेसकन अनसुूसचत जासतयों और अनसुूसचत जनजासतयों के सिए यह कुछ नहीं करगे ी। सपछिेदस साि जैसेझूठेवायदों का सौदा सकया, आनेवािेसदनों मेंभीवही झूठेवायदेकरनेवािी है। The Bill relies on the Census data of 2001 to ascertain the Scheduled Tribes’ population which is outdated and does not reflect the current demography. The inclusion of the Kunbi, Gawda, and Velip communities in the Scheduled Tribes List in 2003 led to a substantial increase in the Scheduled Tribes’ population as per the 2011 Census which should have prompted an earlier intervention. The reliance on old data may lead to flawed representation adjustment undermining the very objective of fair representation. Secondly, the Bill acknowledges that the Delimitation Commission’s work ended in 2008 and further delimitation has been frozen until 2026. These delays raise a question about why this Government waited until 2024 to introduce this Bill. The delay has already deprived the Scheduled Tribe communities of their rightful representation for over two decades. Thirdly, the Bill grants extensive power to the Election Commission to amend the Delimitation Order and readjust seats. While the Election Commission’s autonomy is crucial, the lack of a clear and transparent process in the Bill raises concerns about potential arbitrariness. The absence of a clear framework for public consultation and accountability in the decision-making process is worrisome. The Election Commission’s amendment to the delimitation process should include a mandatory public consultation phase. This would allow citizens and community leaders to voice their concern and give suggestions ensuring that readjustment process is transparent, participatory and democratic. Fourthly, the Central Government is empowered to issue orders to remove any difficulties in implementing the Act. This provision will allow the Government to make potentially significant changes without Parliamentary scrutiny, raising concerns about the erosion of democratic oversight. Any significant change should require the approval of Parliament ensuring that democratic processes and checks and balances are maintained. Fifthly, the Bill states that the readjustment of seats will not affect the existing Legislative Assembly until its dissolution. This means that even if the Bill is enacted, the Scheduled Tribe communities will have to wait until the next election cycle to benefit from the adjustment. This further delays justice and representation for these communities. The Bill should include a specific timeline for the completion of delimitation process and the implementation of seat adjustment to ensure timely justice. Sixthly, Goa has witnessed significant demographic changes since 2001. The Bill does not adequately address how this shift will be factored into the new delimitation process. The exclusion of updated demographic data could lead to ineffective or inequitable representation. The Bill should mandate the use of the most recent census data such as the 2011 data or even the provisional 2021 figure to ensure that the readjustment of seats accurately reflects correct demographic realities. My seventh point is this. The Bill’s provision that prevents the population figure and amendments from being challenged in courts could be seen as an attempt to insulate the process from judicial review. This raises constitutional concern as it may infringe on the Judiciary’s role in upholding the rule of law and protecting the citizens’ rights. A mechanism for judicial oversight could be included to ensure that the process remains fair and constitutional. This would build public trust and prevent potential legal challenges. I would like to mention here that for sustainable development and for economic development, our hon. Chief Minister Mamta Bandyopadhyay every month provides Rs.1000 to the SC/ST communities under the scheme of Taposili Bandhu and Jai Johar scheme. How can we expect from this Government that this Government will do justice to the SC/ST people? This is because this Government removed Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s statue holding the Constitution in his hand, raising his finger towards the Parliament Building. This is nothing but to dishonour Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar as well as the entire SC/ST communities. With this, I conclude my speech and thank you for permitting time to finish my speech. Thank you, Madam.
