Punjab Congress Leaders to Meet in Delhi for Delimitation Strategy

Senior Punjab Congress leaders will convene in Delhi on Thursday to discuss the proposed delimitation process and formulate a strategy to address its implications. The meeting will also be attended by AICC Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel.

Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, recently urged all political parties in Punjab to come together, analyze the pros and cons of delimitation, and oppose it if necessary.

Earlier, Congress MP Manish Tewari warned that if delimitation follows the one citizen, one vote, one value principle, even northern states like Punjab would lose influence, as their share in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha would decline. He pointed out that while Punjab’s total Lok Sabha seats could rise to 18 (from the current 13), its proportion in Parliament’s overall strength would decrease, further marginalizing the state. He also raised concerns over potential tensions between Punjab and Haryana regarding parliamentary seat parity, with Haryana currently holding 10 seats.

Bajwa further stated that if the Lok Sabha’s total strength increases to 848 under certain proposals, Punjab’s seat gain would be minimal compared to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, where the BJP already has a strong presence. He also linked the delimitation process to Punjab’s economic challenges, claiming the BJP-led Centre was attempting to weaken Punjab by interfering in issues like Chandigarh’s status and water rights.

Govt to Launch First-Ever Exploration Licence Auction

Meanwhile, the Indian government will launch its first-ever auction of exploration licenses on Thursday, ahead of putting 13 blocks up for sale to tap into critical minerals like zinc, diamond, and copper.

The auction follows the implementation of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023, which introduced exploration licenses to enable private sector participation in mineral reconnaissance and prospecting for 29 key minerals, including lithium, copper, cobalt, gold, and silver.

According to the Mines Ministry, this move aims to boost exploration efforts, attract private investment, and enhance India’s self-reliance in critical minerals. The auction, set to be launched in Goa, will include an online bidding process for 13 mineral blocks. Additionally, the event will feature a roadshow for the fifth tranche of critical mineral blocks and the unveiling of AI Hackathon 2025, focused on AI-driven mineral exploration.