Justice Srikrishna Committee on AP

--Views & Suggestions

With reference to the advertisement dated 15-02-2010 published in The Hindu, inviting views and suggestions on the various issues as mentioned in the Terms of Reference, the following views and suggestions are offered for kind consideration of the Committee:

I. Situation w.r.t. Separate State of Telangana & United AP

a) Clarity regarding formation of New States?

This needs to be examined taking into consideration the Administrative

Convenience/Efficiency and Economic Viability for providing Good

Governance,which should be the hall-mark for any new State. For a country

like India, with multiple Languages, Cultures etc and a variety of

Geographical and Historical aspects, there has to be clarity regarding

formation of new States. Otherwise there is every danger of unviable

administrative fragmentation of the country, similar to the chaotic situation

prevailing prior to Independence in 1947.

b)What is the Justification for Separate State of Telangana?

Having formed the State of Andhra Pradesh in Fifties, based on Language, rightly or wrongly, what is the need to consider formation of Separate State of Telangana now? The justification being put forward covers wide range of issues like –Discrimination, Injustice, Exploitation,Neglect, Backwardness, Lack of Development, Historical Aspects/Culture, Self Respect & Pride etc

c) Discrimination, Injustice & Exploitation?

This phenomenon is not confined to any particular region in AP State or the

Country, the weaker sections and the have-nots are being discriminated and

exploited by the mighty all over.The growing influence of nexus between the State

& Market Overlords is the root cause of this evil,which needs to be changed. We

may not need a separate State to change & it may continue even after creation of

new State?

d) Who is Responsible for Neglect & Lack of Development?

The scrutiny of the relevant data by the Committee may reveal that the neglect

& lack of development is equally applicable to some of the Coastal and

Rayalaseema districts. Many of the Political Leaders, who are now active in

agitation for separate Telangana State (TS) or Andhra, irrespective of their party

affiliations, have been part of the State Administration, some time or other,

during the last 50 years. Do they have no responsibility for neglect & lack of
development of their respective districts/region?

e) Root Cause – Political Unemployment?

The agitation for separate State of Telangana, started in 1960s by some

politicians, fizzled out soon after their political rehabilitation. With the emergence

of Telugu Desam Party in 1980s, many of the political aspirants could be

accommodated and there was a lull about Separate TS. As the Political

Unemployment increased in 1990s, the agitation for Separate TS picked up
again.

f ) Flash Point

The flash point of Separate TS agitation was triggered by the midnight

announcement of the Union Home Minister on 9 th December 2009, leading to a

chain of unfortunate and tragic incidents and present state of continued

uncertainty and unrest. According to me, this appears to have been stage

managed by the top leadership of the Political Party in Power at the Center, to
serve their short term political agenda, which is tragic and unpardonable.

II. Developments in AP State since its Formation.

The overall development of AP State, since its formation, with particular

reference to Hyderabad and its surrounding areas, Visakhapatnam, some of the

districts in Coastal Area Rayalaseema and Telangana, is undeniable.

It is also undeniable, that there was laxity or negligence in implementing the

provisions of Gentlemen Agreement, Six Point Formula and Article 371-D of The

Constitution of India.

III. Impact of Recent Developments

a) Irreparable damage has been done to the image of AP State in general and the brand name of Hyderabad in particular.

b)The seeds of Distrust, Hatred, and Selfishness have been sown in all walks of life among the people of AP State, which disturbed the harmony. and peaceful atmosphere

c)The Rule of Law has become a serious casualty, leading to large scale indiscriminate destruction of Public Property worth thousands of Crores & causing Public inconvenience, apart from so called self immolations.

d)The provocative speeches being made by some of the Leaders, MPs, MLAs,

who have taken oath to uphold the Constitution of India, are in utter disregard

& violation of Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

Suggestions

a)The division of the existing States and formation of New states should be based on sound norms ensuring Administrative Convenience/ Efficiency and Economic Viability for Good Governance

b) If it is based on emotional issues such as historical/cultural aspects, self respect / pride etc, every district may have to be made a separate State

c) In the days of Technological development, particularly Information Technology, Decentralized and Empowered Administration at District/ Metropolitan levels vide Article 243 of The Constitution of India (11 th & 12 th Schedules), there is no need for smaller States for providing Good Governance.

d) Separate State of Telangana, I firmly believe, will to a great extent serve the greed of Politicians, White collared officials,, Corporate /Business Houses etc only, and there may not be any material change in the life of the Rural poor who will continue to be exploited, ignored and neglected

e) The substantial material difference can be brought about among the Rural Masses by decentralized and empowered administration, even without a Separate State of Telangana at considerable expenditure

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