10 Years of Telangana and the Impact of the Formation of Smaller States

2024 JUN 9

Mains   > Constitution   >   Union and States   >   Formation of State

SYLLABUS:

GS 2 >Constitution> Federalism> Union and States 

REFERENCE NEWS:

  • June 2024 marked the 10th anniversary of the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into two states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

TIMELINE OF TELANGANA STATE FORMATION:

Princely State of Hyderabad to Post-Independence

  • 1945: Rebellion in Telangana against the jagirdari system.
  • 1947: Nizam refused to join India; "Operation Polo" in 1948.
  • 1951: Hyderabad became a Part-B state with the Nizam as Rajpramukh.

Formation of Andhra Pradesh

  • 1953: Andhra State formed from Madras with Kurnool as its capital after Potti Sriramalu's fast-unto-death.
  • 1956: Telangana merged with Andhra to form Andhra Pradesh, despite SRC's recommendation for separate statehood.

Struggle for Telangana

  • 1952: Early protests over domicile rules.
  • 1969: Significant statehood movement.
  • 1973: 32nd Amendment divided Andhra Pradesh into six zones.
  • 2001: K Chandrasekar Rao (KCR) formed the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).
  • 2009: Death of CM Y S Rajsekhara Reddy and KCR’s fast-unto-death led to a statehood promise.

Formation of Telangana

  • 2014: Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act passed; Telangana officially formed on June 2, 2014, with Hyderabad as the joint capital for ten years.

REASONS BEHIND THE BIFURCATION OF ANDHRA PRADESH TO FORM TELANGANA

  • Historical Grievances:
    • Distinct Identity: Influenced by the Nizam's and Qutb Shahi rule, Telangana's unique cultural identity differed from Andhra.
    • Initial Resistance and 1969 Movement: Opposition to merging with Andhra since 1953, fueled by job fears and socio-economic disparities, culminating in the 1969 movement.
  • Linguistic Reorganisation
    • SRC Recommendations: 1956 recommendation to keep Telangana separate due to unique conditions, ignored in the merger with Andhra Pradesh.
    • Neglect and Marginalization: Perceived disproportionate development favoring Andhra.
  • Socio-Economic Disparities
    • Resource Allocation: Lesser investment in Telangana's infrastructure and industries.
    • Employment: Dominance of Andhra residents in jobs, despite domicile rules.
    • Economic Neglect: Claims of using Telangana’s surplus for Andhra’s development.
    • Hyderabad’s Growth: Economic gains in Hyderabad seen as disproportionately benefiting Andhra.
  • Cultural Differences
    • Cultural Production: Local arts emphasized Telangana's unique identity and historical grievances.
  • Political Movements
    • Leadership and Protests: Key roles by leaders like Chenna Reddy and KCR, with early protests in 1952 and significant movements in 1969 and the 2000s.
    • Formation of TRS: KCR's founding of TRS in 2001 and his 2009 fast-unto-death, leading to Telangana's establishment in 2014 under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.

OUTCOMES OF THE BIFURCATION:

POSITIVE OUTCOMES:

Telangana:

  • Identity and Autonomy: The formation of Telangana allowed the region to assert its distinct identity and cultural uniqueness, a major demand of the Telangana movement.
  • Economic Growth and Resource Allocation: Telangana's economy grew three-fold, with GSDP registering a growth of 155.71%, and per capita income growing at an average rate of 12.1%, compared to India’s average of 9.2%.
  • Development in Infrastructure and Services: The Kaleshwaram project and Mission Kakatiya improved water resource management, increasing paddy production from 4.57 million metric tonnes in 2015 to over 20 million metric tonnes in 2023. Mission Bhagiratha ensured potable drinking water to every village.
  • Industrial and IT Sector Growth: Major corporations like Tatas and Mahindras established manufacturing units, while IT giants like Amazon, IBM, Google, and Apple set up offices in Hyderabad, significantly boosting the state’s IT exports.
  • Cultural and Emotional Bonds: On-going cultural assimilation is highlighted by the increasing popularity of Andhra cuisine in Telangana and the presence of Hyderabad Biryani outlets in Andhra.

Andhra Pradesh

  • Economic Resilience: Despite losing the major economic hub of Hyderabad, efforts to develop new industrial clusters and the on-going development of the greenfield capital city of Amaravati are indicators of resilience and forward-looking strategies. 
  • Agricultural Developments: Initiatives like the Polavaram Irrigation Project aim to enhance agricultural productivity by improving water availability across the state.
  • Cultural Preservation: Continuation of rich cultural festivals and traditions which attract tourism and uphold the cultural heritage.

NEGATIVE OUTCOMES:

Telangana

  • Political Challenges and Governance Issues: Telangana's governance under the KCR administration has been criticized for being overly centralized and dictatorial, with allegations of nepotism and corruption.
  • Unfulfilled Promises and Social Welfare: About 150,000 government posts were filled but did not adequately address the unemployment rate. Schemes like Rythu Bandhu and Dalit Bandhu have not substantially improved living standards.
  • Financial Sustainability: The state faces substantial debt, with over ?7 lakh crore in outstanding loans.
  • Unresolved Issues with Andhra Pradesh: Ongoing disputes over river water sharing and asset division remain unresolved.

Andhra Pradesh

  • Political Reorientation and Administrative Challenges: The challenge of establishing a new administrative capital and reorienting state machinery, creating initial disruptions.
  • Financial Strains: Increased financial burden to build new capital infrastructure and manage state finances without the revenue from Hyderabad.
  • Economic Challenges: Loss of Hyderabad as the major economic hub impacted Andhra Pradesh's revenue generation and investment attraction significantly.
  • Social and Infrastructure Gaps: Slow progress in new infrastructure projects and social welfare programs initially disrupted by the bifurcation.

IMPACT OF THE FORMATION OF SMALLER STATES: 

POSITIVE IMPACTS:

  • Enhanced Administrative Efficiency and Local Governance: Smaller states like Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh have shown improved governance and easier administration, allowing for closer government-public interactions. For example, Uttarakhand's smaller administrative units have enabled faster and more focused responses to local challenges, particularly in disaster management during floods and landslides.
  • Economic Growth: States like Telangana and Chhattisgarh have experienced significant economic development, with Chhattisgarh’s GSDP jumping from 3.1% to 8.6%.
  • Improvement in Infrastructure and Basic Services: Investments in infrastructure have boosted access to essential services and improved living standards in states like Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh. For example, Chhattisgarh’s Bastar Development Offensive "Daksh" (BDO Daksh) initiative has enhanced road connectivity and electricity in remote areas, improving local economic activities and quality of life.
  • Effective Resource Management: Improved resource management has been observed. For instance, Telangana enhanced its paddy production by implementing advanced water management strategies, such as the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, which improved irrigation efficiency and water availability for agriculture.
  • Fostering Regional Identities: The formation of smaller states has enabled regions to preserve and promote unique cultural and linguistic identities. For example, Jharkhand's creation allowed the celebration and promotion of tribal heritage and languages such as Santhali and Ho, which were previously overshadowed in the larger Bihar state.
  • Reduction in Inter-Regional Disparities: Focusing on underdeveloped regions within larger states has helped reduce disparities and promote balanced development. For example, after forming from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand saw increased tourism and infrastructure improvements in its previously neglected hill regions, helping to even out regional economic differences.

NEGATIVE IMPACTS:

  • Economic Disparities and Resource Allocation Issues: Despite overall growth, states like Jharkhand struggle to match the economic performance of their parent state, Bihar. For instance, despite rich mineral resources, Jharkhand’s per capita income remains below Bihar, illustrating ongoing economic disparities.
  • Resource Management Challenges: In Jharkhand, the division of resources has led to conflicts, especially concerning water and forest resource management. An example is the dispute over water sharing from the Son River, which has led to tensions between Jharkhand and Bihar.
  • Governance Challenges and Political Instability: Improvements in governance have not consistently materialized. For example, Telangana has faced issues such as political protests and legislative disruptions over policies perceived as centralizing power excessively.
  • Environmental Concerns: New states like Uttarakhand have faced challenges in forest conservation and the diversion of forest lands for development purposes, affecting ecological balance. This is evident in the increased number of forest fire incidents and unauthorized land clearances for construction.
  • Challenges in Federal Dynamics: The creation of new states has sometimes strained cooperative aspects of Indian federalism. An example includes the on-going disputes between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana over the sharing of river waters and budget allocations, which have necessitated central government intervention.
  • Cultural and Social Integration Challenges: While smaller states can strengthen regional identities, this can also lead to greater fragmentation. For example, the creation of Telangana led to debates and occasional strife over the status and rights of Andhra Pradesh residents living in Hyderabad, complicating social integration efforts.

WAY FORWARD:

  • Inter-State Collaboration and Dispute Resolution: Establish a Permanent Inter-State Council to facilitate ongoing communication and resolve disputes, especially focusing on resource allocation and inter-state collaborations.
  • Targeted Financial and Developmental Support: Provide special financial assistance and allocate specific economic packages aimed at stimulating growth in underdeveloped areas, emphasizing infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
  • Judicial Oversight and Efficient Asset Management: Implement a fast-track judicial mechanism for the fair division of assets and swift resolution of conflicts between states post-bifurcation.
  • Governance Reforms for Political Stability: Enact governance reforms to ensure fixed terms for governors and improve representation in legislative bodies to enhance political stability and governance efficiency.
  • Sustainable Development and Environmental Management: Focus on sustainable development projects that incorporate green technologies and robust environmental management practices to ensure ecological balance.
  • Enhanced Transparency and Community Engagement: Increase governmental transparency and engage local communities in the decision-making process to improve public trust and service delivery.
  • Prevent Unnecessary State Bifurcations: Before considering further state bifurcations, conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate the necessity and potential impacts, ensuring that it is a beneficial move rather than a politically motivated decision.
  • Address Regional Disparities in Existing States: Implement programs to reduce regional disparities within existing states by investing in lagging regions and ensuring equitable distribution of resources to prevent feelings of neglect and underrepresentation.
  • Policy and Economic Review Mechanisms: Set up periodic review mechanisms to assess the economic and administrative impacts of state formations and adjust policies as needed to address any emerging challenges effectively.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Q. Critically examine the broader implications of the formation of smaller states in India. (15 marks, 250 words)