INDIAN STATES- DO WE NEED STATES?

 

DO THE STATES MATTER?   DO WE NEED THE STATES?

WHAT DOES THE CONSTITUTION SAY?

CAN WE ABOLISH THE STATES and CREATE FIVE ZONES?

 

It was in the year 1956 that formation of the states within the territory of India was undertaken.  The recommendations of the State re-organisation Commission were accepted and states were formed on the basis of linguistic zones.

 

Our experience on the basis of the past 53 years indicates that the states have been

involved in in-party fighting.  The interest of the common man is not seen at the heart of the state leaders.  It appears that there are no political leaders to guide the state and take it to a national high level.  The political parties have dearth of statesmen-patriots.  There is a push and pull for posts in the state.  Peoples’ money is wasted on every count.

 

Posts are distributed as per the sweet will of the Chief Minister, to stabilise his position.  Do not create problems for the state- that is the advice tendered by the high command.  Get together and distribute the spoils of wealth among themselves, is the order of the day.

 

A time has come to think whether we need the States?

Do the states matter?  Do they help the country?

Do they not come in the way of the Center in implementing the policy?

Does the money allocated by the Center reach the hands of the poor for whom it was meant?.  The answer is No.  It does not reach the hands of the needy for whom the money is meant.

Are not the states going out of line and thwarting the authority of the Center?

Are not the States in the way of National policy?

 

Persistent animosity within the state is a routine.  Inter-state difference, disputes are common. Disputes within the state with local body, corporation and institutions is nothing new.  It is a day to day matter..  Law enforcement is at its lowest ebb.  The judiciary has turned into a sort of helpless spectator for want of through investigation, and preparation of the case with loopholes and  lack of collection of relevant evidence. Investigations are slip-shod so that justice can not be done.  Everything is done on profit and loss basis and on principles of party politics.

 

All this suggests that there should be a better alternative.

 

Consider the cost of administration, the country would save if the states were abolished.

There should be two level of administration.  The Center and the local bodies in the five zones.  The country should be divided into five zones for national integration.

 

Government under the Constitution can create states.

On the same analogy it can abolish them.  But…Who will bell the Cat?