Delimitation for J&K

Delimitation Commission constituted for union territory of Jammu and Kashmir has presented its first draft proposal for the allocation of assembly seats in UT of J&K. According to this draft the commission has proposed an increase of six assembly seats for Jammu Division while an increase of one seat for Kashmir Division. These proposals have immediately resulted in protests in Kashmir Valley by the leaders and political parties like NC and PDP. This proposal as reported was  shared on Monday with the all 5 MPs from J&K who are also associate members of the delimitation panel. If this is approved it will increase the total seats in Jammu region from existing 37 to 43, while in Kashmir valley with one additional seat the number of total seats will go to 47 seats from earlier 46 seats. How much this division shall be accepted in the valley and how much this proposal is rational and justified shall be judged and also explained by the leaders of all political parties including BJP. Now what criteria have been adopted by the commission to propose the increase of seats is yet to be known, but it is clear that either it has to be the population or the area. This had already been made clear by the Delimitation Commission that the allocation of seats shall be considered on the basis of the 2011 census of Jammu and Kashmir. The population of Jammu and Kashmir including Ladakh is more than 1,25,48, thousands. Out of this the population of Kashmir division is more than 68,94 thousands, Jammu Division more than 53,74 thousands and of Leh Division it is more than 2,80 thousands. If the proposed allocation has been made on the basis of population then surely the number of seats should have been increased in Kashmir Valley. And if the proposed increase has been made on the basis of area then Ladakh must have a maximum number of seats. It is also still to be seen in which areas or districts the increase of seats has been proposed. In Jammu division, Jammu district is the only district having population more than 10 lakh while in Kashmir valley there are three districts with population more than ten lakhs. In Jammu Division Kishtwar district is spread over an area of about 7.7 thousands sq. kilometers but has a population of about 2.31 lakh.  Kathua district has an area of about 2.6 thousand sq. k.m., but the population is about 6.16 lakh. Though Jammu district has a population of about 15.26 lakh but is spread over an area of about three thousands sq. k.m. In Kashmir Division, the Srinagar district is spread over an area of only 294 sq. k.m but has a population of about 12.3 lakhs. Similarly Bandipora spread over an area of just 398 sq. k.m has a population of about 3.8 lakhs and Ganderbal with population of about 2.97 lakh is spread over an area of 2.59 k.m. So this will be interesting to see what base has been made by the Commission to allocate the seats, area or population? Is the area more important or the public?