Kolkata’s delimitation hearings have ended after the civic authorities received around 300 suggestions and objections to the draft revised ward boundaries. The proposed changes would increase the number of Kolkata Municipal Corporation wards from 144 to 209, with the final boundaries and seat reservations still pending.
The hearings concluded on Wednesday following representations from political parties and individuals. Several political functionaries appeared before hearing officers more than once to raise separate complaints about the proposed ward boundaries, according to a KMC official cited by The Times of India.
“We treated each complaint individually and sent out invitations to appear before hearing officers,” the official said.
Ten state government officials were deputed to conduct the hearings. They are expected to submit reports on the objections and suggestions to the state municipal affairs and urban development department. The department will decide whether, and to what extent, changes should be made to the draft boundaries.
The next stage will involve publication of the final ward-wise boundaries. A state official said the final document would incorporate the objections and suggestions considered by the authorities and would be made available as a public document.
Once the state finalises the boundaries, the document will be sent to the State Election Commission. The commission will publish the areas included in each ward and decide which wards will be reserved for women, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates.
Officials said the reservation process is separate from the ward delimitation exercise. “The state or the KMC is not the authority to decide on the wards to be reserved for SC, ST and woman candidates. It is the prerogative of the SEC,” an official said.
The proposed increase to 209 wards would alter the administrative map used for civic representation across Kolkata. However, the final number and configuration of wards will depend on the state government’s decision after reviewing the hearing officers’ reports.
The reservation of seats will be determined only after the final ward-wise boundaries are sent to the State Election Commission. The publication of the final boundaries and the commission’s subsequent reservation decision are the next official milestones in the process.
