"New Kashmir policy will bring justice to migrants from Valley," says former J&K DGP Shesh Paul Vaid assessing delimitation

After the considerations to amend delimitation in Jammu and Kashmir constituencies with the new Kashmir policy took the center stage, reactions from the state have been pouring in, the recent one being former DGP of the state Shesh Paul Vaid. 

The former DGP of Jammu and Kashmir noted that the decision of Home Minister Amit Shah will bring 'justice' to migrants from the valley and the refugees in the state from West Pakistan. Furthermore adding that delimitation has been a 'long pending demand' by the people of Jammu region.

READ| Regional Leaders Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti And Sajad Lone Up In Arms At Mention Of Delimitation Process In J&K

What is Delimitation?

The Delimitation process will involve altering the scope and size of Assembly constituencies in the state and will further determine the number of seats to be reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC).

In the aftermath of accession to India, the administration of Shiekh Abdullah sliced 43 seats for Kashmir, 30 seats for Jammu and 2 for Ladakh region. However, at present, there are a total of 87 assembly seats with 46 seats in Kashmir, 37 in Jammu and 4 in Ladakh.

As per the Constitution, delimitation is supposed to be carried out every decade, although the decision could be overturned by the Parliament. In 2002, NC president Farooq Abdullah's government froze the delimitation process until 2026 by amending the Jammu and Kashmir Representation of People Act 1957 and Section 47(3) of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir.

This step will allow the Governor to set up a Delimitation Commission. The Modi 2.0 Cabinet is revisiting the files that were previously stalled, as per inputs. 

According to sources, high-level meetings are being held ever since Amit Shah official took charge in the Home Ministry, along with senior officials including the NSA, Home Secretary, the IB chief, RAW chief, and Army officials along with the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Satya Pal Malik.

Throughout the election campaign, the BJP chief had reiterated that the party would abrogate Article 370 and 35A from the state, which also found space in BJP's manifesto. However, there was no confirmation of whether the issue was discussed in the first Home Ministry meeting.