Formation of the twenty ninth state of
Telangana has been a roller coaster sentimental ride for more than 11 crores of
the region .It certainly could have been resolved in a more amicable manner. The
feeling of the party which feels aggrieved and alienated could be assuaged in a
better manner than done. Political compulsions have made the bifurcation more
painful and rhetorical rabble rousing.
In 1947, the boundaries of several old States of India were
changed in order to create new States. This was mostly on linguistic grounds.
However some States were created not on the basis of language but to recognize
differences based on culture, ethnicity or geography. The States Reorganization
Commission implementation and reluctance by senior leaders to accept it and the
benefits it gave on account of Federalism has been dealt with aptly by
historians like Ramchandra Guha.
Modern political social analysts have cited better implantation
and decentralized administration and as benefits of Smaller States. Removal of
Economic disparity and removal of alienation are harped upon by the champions
of Federalism.
Most of these arguments hold their forte in elms of
strengthening of democracy and respect for diversity or plurality.
The issue of smaller states have however acquired some new
dimensions in recent past. New dimensions of corruption, disenchantment of
masses with the political class and increasing gap between the referred two
have cropped up.
Formation and the functioning of small states in recent times
has brought these new three dimensional to the fore. With small assemblies in
vague , a group of rogue legislators can hold the provincial government to
ransom. In an Assembly of two digit strength, MLAs in single digit make the
political scenario fluid. The price of Governance in these small states is
negotiated in terms of Crores and ministerial berths to state the minimum. The nuisance
created by a small group of legislators can cause more damage to institutions
of Democracy in small states is evident.
An independent MLA becoming the Chief Minister of a State in recent
past and tales of money-laundering and properties in a disproportionate
assets against him and his alleged associates
is folklore now .The ex Chief Minister was well supported by five political parties and three independents
,all three of whom made Ministers. His
rule of two years aided in moving the state to verge of financial crisis. When
formed, the State was one of the two surplus budget state. Nearly similar imprudent
financial scenario prevails in smaller states.
The streamlining of administration occurred on
account of small administrative units is a mirage. The lack of preparedness by
smaller states in face of last year’s natural calamity has further cast doubts
on the administrative efficiency which was cited as main reason for bifurcation
of States. The other agencies involved clearly indicated the lack of specific
information was lost in the red tape of a small state bureaucracy.
The democratic wings of governance instead of
strengthening have given way to more cynicism, incompetence and loss of
cohesion in making of small sates
