The Laity commission discusses the issue of delimitation

The Archbishop of Bengaluru, Dr Peter Machado called for a meeting of the grass root level leaders on 20th October, 2019. Fr Arokiasamy, the secretary of the laity commission presided over the meeting. In view of strengthening an active participation of the Christian population in the elections His grace is in communication with the grass root level leaders and has promised motivation and support to good aspiring leadership.

Earlier this year, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had announced that delimitation of the wards is in process. BBMP’s delimitation exercise will restructure ward boundaries so that Bengaluru’s population is distributed equally across wards, at 42,645 per ward. This population data is based on the 2011 Census. As per BBMP’s current proposal, ward boundaries will have to be redrawn based on population in 21 out of the 26 assembly constituencies in the city. Wards will remain unchanged in just five constituencies – Yelahanka, Mahalakshmi Layout, CV Raman Nagar, Basavangudi and Anekal.

With this regard the Archbishop called for this meeting to keep the aspirants informed about the negative effects that would arise if we are indifferent to the delimitation process. He said that we must be involved in the process at least to the extent of presenting to the government a petition to mark the boundaries based on our suggestions. Delimitation is a natural process. When cities expand the services must reach to all and that is the objective. Towards the fulfillment of this objective the existing ward leaders must suggest as to which areas must come under one ward as you have firsthand information of the demographics of your areas. MLAs have a great say in this process and thus the ward members must go through them to place the petition on firm ground.

During the meeting His Grace also stressed the need to keep the people informed about these changes and renew their faith in democracy by motivating them to vote for good leadership from the grass root level itself.