News & Analysis prsindia.org

Implications of Increasing Size of Lok Sabha

The article discusses proposed Bills, including the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, aimed at increasing the Lok Sabha's size from 550 to 850 members. It proposes basing state-wise seat allocation on population using a Census specified by Parliament (likely 2011 for the next delimitation) and introduces a 1/3rd reservation for women, effective after delimitation and valid for 15 years. These changes would alter state representation, with states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar gaining significant power, and remove the current freeze on Lok Sabha seats.