Shashi Tharoor Proposes Permanent Framework for State Reorganization in India
In a significant move to address the complexities of modern Indian governance, Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor has introduced a Private Member's Bill advocating for a permanent and objective framework for the reorganization of states. This initiative aims to replace ad-hoc decisions with a structured, evidence-based approach, emphasizing administrative efficiency and equitable development across the nation.
The Need for a New Administrative Paradigm
India, with its vast population of over 1.4 billion people, faces unique governance challenges due to the disparate sizes and complexities of its states. Tharoor highlights that states like Uttar Pradesh, with a population exceeding 240 million, and Maharashtra and Bihar, each around 130 million, are administratively unwieldy. These units are larger than many European countries, transforming size from a symbol of power into a debilitating burden in the 21st-century context.
The distance between state capitals and citizens, both geographically and bureaucratically, creates significant hurdles in effective governance. This often results in policies failing to reach hinterlands, development schemes suffering implementation gaps, and public services like healthcare and education remaining inadequate. Tharoor argues that the cry for smaller states is fundamentally a demand for more responsive and accessible governance.
Historical Context and Evolving Rationales
The initial wave of state creation in India, led by the States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) in the 1950s, was primarily based on linguistic principles to foster cultural cohesion and stability post-Partition. However, Tharoor notes that the rationale has since shifted towards developmental and administrative imperatives. The formation of states like Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Telangana in recent decades was driven by socio-political needs, including addressing regional disparities and responding to public sentiment against neglect.
This evolution underscores that the administrative architecture inherited from the SRC is no longer sufficient to handle contemporary governance crises. Tharoor's Bill seeks to institutionalize a process that moves beyond language as the sole criterion, incorporating a holistic approach that considers economic viability, administrative efficacy, and national unity.
Key Principles of the Proposed Framework
The Bill outlines several critical factors for any future state reorganization:
- Economic and Financial Viability: New states must have a credible pathway to self-sufficiency to avoid permanent dependence on central grants, which could distort national financial balances.
- Administrative Efficacy: Reorganization should aim to create structures where state machinery functions optimally, ensuring efficient delivery of justice and services.
- National Unity: The process must harmonize regional aspirations with national goals, preserving the federal fabric without fracturing it.
By mandating a pre-planned and consistent process based on these diverse factors, Tharoor envisions a shift from reactive, politically expedient decisions to a proactive, policy-driven approach. This, he argues, is essential for good governance and fulfilling the founding promise of the Indian republic to promote the welfare of all citizens.
Conclusion: A Vision for Equitable Governance
Tharoor emphasizes that state reorganization is not merely about redrawing maps but re-engineering democracy to make it more responsive and effective. His Bill represents a vision for a stronger, more equitably-governed India, where administrative logic and the genuine will of the people guide transformative changes. As India continues to grow, adopting a modern, scalable framework for state reorganization could be pivotal in addressing longstanding regional demands and enhancing overall governance.
