Background Note for National Seminar on
A. Formation of States post-independence
At the time of Independence India had 552 Princely States and 9 British-administered areas. Sardar Patel persuaded most princely states to join India.
In 1953, First States Reorganisation Commission (Faizl Ali Common) was set up. Based on its report 14 states and 6 UTs were formed. Later on more states were formed on a linguistic basis.
The formation of Uttarakhand, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Telangana has given impetus to the formation of states for development and administration as a yardstick.
B. Clamour for smaller states
There are demands for carving out new states across India.
1. Ladak (present UT)
2. Maru Pradesh (western Rajasthan)
3. Saurashtra (South Gujarat)
4. Konkan (Maharashtra)
5. Tulu Land (Karnataka)
6. Kodagu (Karnataka)
7. Kongunadu (Western Tamilnadu)
8. Rayalaseema (AP)
9. UttarAndhra (north AP)
10. Kosala Pradesh (western Odisha)
11. Bodoland (Assam)
12. Gorkhaland (West Bengal)
13. Mithilanchal (Southeastern Bihar)
14. Purvanchal (Eastern UP)
15. Bagelkhand (South Eastern UP)
16. Bundelkhand (Southwestern UP)
17. Vidarbha (Eastern Maharashtra)
18. Harit Pradesh (Western UP)
C. Way forward
At present, there are 28 states and 8 UTs. Keeping a large number of demands in view, there is a need to constitute Second States Reorganisation Commission urgently.
If all the demands are accepted, there will be 46 states and 7 UTs. If some UTs are given statehood, there will be 50 states and 3 UTs.
D. Conclusion
Language is no longer binding people to remain in one state. Development and good governance are sought after by people. It is possible only through smaller and compact states.
India with about 150 crore people can afford to have 50 states.
Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!
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