NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister Joseph Vijay on Thursday raised issues over the proposed Delimitation Invoice, 2026, saying southern states may lose their share of illustration in Parliament if seats are redistributed primarily in keeping with inhabitants.Talking on the thirty first assembly of the Southern Zonal Council chaired by Union residence minister Amit Shah, Vijay, who can also be the council’s vice-chairman, sought an assurance from the Centre that states which have efficiently stabilised their populations wouldn’t be penalised by a discount of their parliamentary illustration.He mentioned the difficulty had grow to be significantly essential because the freeze on the allocation of Lok Sabha seats primarily based on the 1971 Census nears its finish.“Because the freeze on the allocation of Lok Sabha seats primarily based on the 1971 Census approaches its finish and the Delimitation Invoice, 2026, is taken into account, there’s a real and shared concern throughout the Southern States that delimitation primarily based predominantly on populations could diminish our collective voice in Parliament,” he mentioned.Vijay argued that southern states had achieved inhabitants management whereas additionally making progress in human improvement and financial progress. He mentioned these achievements mustn’t outcome within the states receiving much less political illustration.“The Southern States have been on the forefront of inhabitants stabilisation, human improvement, and financial progress. These achievements replicate the profitable implementation of nationwide priorities and mustn’t lead to a discount of our illustration. Public coverage should not inadvertently penalise States for fulfilling nationwide aims,” he mentioned.He known as for a legislative assure to make sure that the proportion of parliamentary seats held by any state wouldn’t fall due to its success in controlling inhabitants progress.“I due to this fact, urge the Union Authorities to offer a transparent legislative assurance that no State will undergo a discount in its share of illustration in Parliament on account of its success in inhabitants stabilisation. Such an method would uphold the rules of fairness, protect the federal stability envisioned by our Structure, and reinforce the boldness of all States in our democratic establishments,” he added.
Southern states’ delimitation concern
Southern states, significantly Tamil Nadu and Kerala, have for years raised issues a couple of population-based delimitation train.Their argument is that these states adopted nationwide household planning and inhabitants management insurance policies extra efficiently over the previous 5 many years. Because of this, their populations have grown at a slower charge than these of a number of northern states.Vijay additionally raised the difficulty of inter-state river disputes, with explicit deal with the long-running Cauvery dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.He mentioned cooperation between states was essential however should go hand in hand with compliance with courtroom orders and choices of statutory our bodies.“Water is prime to the lives, Agriculture and livelihoods of tens of millions, and the administration of interstate rivers calls for each cooperation and unwavering respect for the rule of legislation. First, the professional rights of decrease riparian States and the livelihoods that rely upon assured river flows have to be absolutely protected. Second, the judgments of the Supreme Courtroom, the awards of duly constituted tribunals, and the statutory mechanisms established for river administration have to be applied in letter and spirit,” he mentioned.
Vijay seeks compliance with Cauvery water orders
Referring particularly to the Cauvery dispute, Vijay mentioned choices taken by the Supreme Courtroom and the Cauvery Water Administration Authority have to be applied at once.“The well timed implementation of the Supreme Courtroom’s judgment and the choices of the Cauvery Water Administration Authority stays important,” he mentioned.The Cauvery Water Administration Authority had directed Karnataka to launch 12,000 cusecs of water a day to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu from 8 am on August 12 for 15 days. The Supreme Courtroom has additionally directed the Karnataka authorities to make sure compliance with the order.
Tamil Nadu renews demand to interchange NEET for state quota
Vijay additionally reiterated Tamil Nadu’s opposition to the Nationwide Eligibility cum Entrance Check, or NEET, saying the examination locations rural and deprived college students at an obstacle.“Tamil Nadu has persistently maintained that the Nationwide Eligibility cum Entrance Check (NEET) locations college students from rural backgrounds and socially and economically deprived communities at a definite drawback, undermining the State’s long-standing mannequin of inclusive entry primarily based on college schooling,” he mentioned.
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He requested the Centre to permit Tamil Nadu to make use of Class XII marks to fill medical seats reserved beneath the state quota.“I urge the Union Authorities to allow Tamil Nadu to fill all seats beneath the State quota in MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH programs solely primarily based on Class XII marks, in step with the State’s confirmed and equitable admission system,” he mentioned.
Name for tighter checks on on-line medicines and narcotics
Vijay additionally known as for stronger regulation of the web sale of prescription medicines and larger coordination between states to sort out the unlawful drug commerce and substance abuse.“I urge the Authorities of India to strengthen the regulatory framework governing the web sale of prescription medicines, guarantee stricter enforcement in opposition to their unauthorised sale, and evaluation the present authorized framework to successfully deal with rising substance abuse amongst youth,” he mentioned.
