Cabinet nod for amendments in two laws

New Delhi, Feb 17: The union cabinet on Wednesday approved amendments to the Delimitation Act, 2002, and the Representation of the People Act, 1950, paving way for the delimitation of constituencies in West Bengal to include areas that became part of India after land-exchange with Bangladesh.

The approval was for amending Section 11 of the Delimitation Act and Section 9 of the RPA.

"It will enable the election commission to carry out limited delimitation of assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal," a cabinet statement said.

In a historic agreement between India and Bangladesh, 51 Bangladeshi enclaves in Indian territory and 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh territory were exchanged with effect from July 31, 2015. This changed the contours of Cooch Behar.

"Since the newly-acquired area consequent upon the exchange of territory between India and Bangladesh has become part of the Indian territory, it is required to make delimitation exercise within the limited constituency area before the ensuing state assembly elections in West Bengal," the statement said.

The election commission had sought amendments in the two Acts in order to carry out the fresh delimitation.

IANS