Are smaller states a requisite for development?

Are smaller states a requisite for development?

Very recently, we saw a shameful act in parliament where one of the MPs used pepper spray to sabotage the presentation of Telangana bill. Keeping aside the disgraceful act, the point of discussion has once again shifted towards the old debate- can smaller states guarantee development? Let’s discuss the pros and cons of smaller states:-

Yes, smaller states are important for development

1. India is a very large country and to make the administration simpler the nation was divided in various states. So, for the sake of development there is no harm in dividing the states.

2. We have seen that the smaller states have seen growth more rapidly than large states. Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh are a very apt example of the same.

3. If states are bifurcated into smaller areas, the natural resources are more appropriately used and their exploitation is put on restraint.

4. Development is completely dependent on administration. It is a proven fact that administration is easy and better for small areas rather than large states. So, states must be divided for better growth and administration.

5. In developed countries like U.S., we have seen a federal structure where there are many small states.

6. In India, problem with the states like U.P. or Rajasthan is the fact that they are too diverse and largely spread to be administered. So, the demand to split them has been also rising.

7. Bifurcation of states has been a part of Indian history and has reaped positive results.

No

1. We have seen large states like Maharashtra which has shown high growth and development. So, we can’t say that smaller states are important for growth.

2. Even after bifurcation, small states like Jharkhand are facing several issues on their way to growth and are yet to see the light of development.

3. Division of states into smaller ones ends up creating acrimony in the hearts of the residents towards each other and also stands against the principle of “unity in diversity”.

4. We have encountered the issue of U.P. and Bihar residents facing problem in Mumbai because of the region to which they belong. Such bifurcations only encourage these sorts of incidents and divide the people of India on the lines of their states.

5. Smaller states create smaller and regional political forces and we have seen in the history that such forces have done little for the growth of the state but have played a divide and rule politics.

Conclusion

Bifurcation of states is not a problem in fact; it will help in the development of backward areas. But the problem arises when without any pre-decided standards for division of states; the bifurcation is done solely to reap political gains.

It would be better if particular criteria are decided for the bifurcation of states. Only then, it will help in the development of states as well as of the nation.