Small States : How far can we go?

Telangana is simmering right now. December 30 has been announced as a 'bandh' day. In other states the demand for separate states is rearing its head once again. The Telangana isuue is more thorny compared to other issues as in this case the rest of the state is not in the mood to accept reorganization of the state. Violent protests seem inevitable at least for time being. If central government agrees to this demand it faces trouble on two fronts: one, the rest of Andhra wont remain peaceful and two, the remaining states in India will witness similar protests and movements. If we look at the performance of smaller states it has been mixed bag. While Uttaranchal has done well, Jharkhand has been disaster. Small states also mean small number of legislative assembly seats which encourages defection and hence instability. Goa bears testimony to this fact. We already have states on linguistic basis. Almost in every large state there is demand for one or two smaller states. Some of them are highly unreasonable. As far as Uttar Pradesh is concerned the travesty cannot be missed. While 'Harit Pradesh' comprises prosperous districts of western Uttar Pradesh, the 'Bundelkhand' talks of most backward regions of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. In case of Poorvanchal there is no popular support and a handful of leaders are crying themselves hoarse on this issue. I don't have any idea about similar demands elsewhere in the country.

The government should decentralize the institutions and facilities in the states in order to make them easily accessible. In Uttar Pradesh, most of the institutions are centered in Lucknow. Clearly this is highly inconvenient for people from both ends of the state. But instead of carving out new states we can build similar institutions in east UP as well as west UP. Not many need to meet Chief Minister every now and then, so one thing which I am sure we don't need in Uttar Pradesh is a bunch of inefficient chief ministers. While decentralization based on zonal division of Uttar Pradesh will ensure easy accessibility, the size will ensure stability. Similar reasons can be given for other states also. Please don't play divisive politics in the name of statehood. Sardar Patel united 500 states into one India. Don't undo his unparalleled achievement.