Thursday, January 06, 2011

SriKrishna Committee Report Summary

[Typed version of scanned PDF document]

SUMMARY OF THE REPORT OF COMMITTEE FOR CONSULTATION ON THE SITUATION IN ANDHRA PRADESH

1.      Shri Justice B. N. Srikrishna report was submitted to the Government on 30.12.2010.  The Terms of Reference of the Committee are enclosed.

2.      In its 461 pages Report (along with Volume II containing Appendices), the Committee has examined in great detail the following issues:

(i)                 Developments in Andhra Pradesh – A Historical Background
(ii)               Regional Economic and Equity Analysis
(iii)             Education and Health
(iv)              Water Resources, irrigation and Power Development
(v)                Public Employment Issues
(vi)              Issues Relating to Hyderabad Metropolis
(vii)            Sociological and Cultural Issues

3.      Based on the analysis of the above parameters the Committee has examined in detail the issues pertaining to current demand for a separate State of Telangana as well as the demand for maintaining the present status of keeping the State united.  After going into all aspects of the situation as well as keeping in view the local, regional and the national perspectives, the Committee has put forward the following solutions/possible options as the best way forward:

(i)                 Maintaining Status Quo

The Committee is of the unanimous view that it would not be a practical approach to simply maintain the status quo in respect of the situation.  Some intervention is definitely required and though maintaining the existing status quo is an option, it is favoured the least.

(ii)               Bifurcation of the State into Seemandhra and Telangana; with Hyderabad as a Union Territory and the two States developing their own capitals in due course

There is a definite likelihood of serious backlashes in the Telangana region and an overall consideration the Committee found this option was also not practicable.

(iii)             Bifurcation of State into Rayala-Telangana and coastal Andhra regions with Hyderabad being an integral part of Rayala-Telangana

This scenario is not likely to be accepted either by the pro-Telangana or by the pro-united Andhra protagonists.  While this option may have economic justification, the Committee believes that this option may not offer a resolution which would be acceptable to people of all three regions.

(iv)             Bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Seemandhra and Telangana with enlarged Hyderabad Metropolis as a separate Union Territory.  This Union Territory will have geographical linkage and contiguity via Nalgonda district in the south-east to district Guntur in coastal Andhra and via Mahboobnagar district in the south to Kurnool district in Rayalaseema

This is likely to receive stiff opposition from Telangana protagonists and it may be difficult to reach a political consensus in making this solution acceptable to all.

(v)               Bifurcation of the State into Telangana and Seemandhra as per existing boundaries with Hyderabad as the capital of Telangana and Seemandhra to have a new capital

The Committee feels that this option has to be given consideration.  The continuing demand for a separate Telangana has some merit and is not entirely unjustified.  In case this option is exercised the apprehensions of the coastal Andhra and the Rayalaseema people and others who were settled in Hyderabad and other districts of Telangana with regard to their investments, properties, livelihood and employment would need to be adequately addressed.  Considering all aspects, the Committee felt that while creation of separate Telangana would satisfy a large majority of people from the region, it will also throw up several other serious problems.  Therefore after taking into account of the pros and cons the Committee did not think it to be the most preferred, but the second best option.  Separation is recommended only in case it is unavoidable and if this decision can be reached amicably amongst all the three regions. 

(vi)             Keeping the State united by simultaneously providing certain definite Constitutional / Statutory measures for socio-economic development and political empowerment of Telangana region – creation of a statutorily empowered Telangana Regional Council

In this option it is proposed to keep the State united and provide Constitutional / Statutory measures to address the core socio-economic concerns about the development of the Telangana region.  This can be done through the establishment of a statutory and empowered Telangana Regional Council with adequate transfer of funds, functions and functionaries.  The Regional Council would provide a legislative consultative mechanism for the subjects to be dealt with by the Council.

The united Andhra option is being suggested for continuing the development momentum of the three regions and keeping in mind the national perspective.  With firm political and administrative management it should be possible to convey conviction to the people that this option would be in the best interest to all and would provide satisfaction to the maximum number of people in the State.  It would also take care of the uncertainty over the future of Hyderabad as a bustling educational, industrial and IT hub/destination.  For management of water and irrigation resources on an equitable basis, a technical body, i.e. Water Management Board and an Irrigation Project Development Corporation in expanded role have been recommended.  The above course of action should meet all the issues raised by Telangana people satisfactorily. 

The Committee discussed all aspects of this option and while it acknowledges that there will be certain difficulties in its implementation, on balance, it found it the most workable option in the given circumstances and in the best interest of the social and economic welfare of the people of all the three regions.  The core issue being one of the socio-economic development and good governance, the Committee, keeping the national perspective in mind, is of the considered view that this option stands out as the best way forward.

20 comments:

  1. SKC should have given the options in order according to the "Feasibility or acceptability" . SKC seems to regard only the last two options as "Practical", it should have given them at top.

    ReplyDelete
  2. <<<<
    (i) Maintaining Status Quo

    The Committee is of the unanimous view that it would not be a practical approach to simply maintain the status quo in respect of the situation. Some intervention is definitely required and though maintaining the existing status quo is an option, it is favoured the least.






    Is SKC really nuts placing the least favoured option on the top of the list. This will send out wrong Signals to the people and will appease only nuts like "sera". Think SKC if very much favorable to Telangana ,Sad that it is portrayed otherwise both by Tvadis and Andhras media.

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  3. Is SKC really nuts placing the least favoured options on the top of the list. This will send out wrong Signals to the people and will appease only nuts like "sera". Think SKC is very much favorable to Telangana ,Sad that it is portrayed otherwise both by Tvadis and Andhras media.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Option 5 vs Option 6 is like Jinnah vs Ambedkar.


    But IMO pro-telengana would rather go the partition way instead of waiting patiently.Yes, i accept that your patience and trust had been severely eroded in the past half-century.

    Didn't Ambedkar(or Martin luther King) took a risk in trusting the upper-caste hindus(or whites)?

    Anyway, Telengana or Kashmir or Corruption or Maoists- 2011 is going to be a real test for Indian democracy.

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  5. The report:

    if this decision can be reached amicably amongst all the three regions.
    Something that's impossible.

    Keeping the State united by simultaneously providing certain definite Constitutional / Statutory measures for socio-economic development and political empowerment of Telangana region – creation of a statutorily empowered Telangana Regional Council
    From this can we conclude that Telangana was neglected from the past years.

    The SKC hasn't done anything special.Just a time delay tactic.

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  6. <<< Considering all aspects, the Committee felt that while creation of separate Telangana would satisfy a large majority of people from the region, "it will also throw up several other serious problems".


    The committee could have been "meaningful" if it was constituted to solve these serious problems instead of giving some General options which even a halfwit like Lagadapati can do.

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  7. SKC should be rejected as they didn't even go thoroughly on Telangana. First 4 options are opted out as they are not feasible.
    Lets talk about option 6,
    Summary of Option 6 (source from SKC Report)
    Keeping the State united
    by simultaneously providing certain definite Constitutional/Statutory measuresforsocio-economic development and political empowerment of Telangana region-creation of a statutorily empowered Telangana Regional Council.

    Don't you think this option was given to Telangana region in 1956 when we were forcefully merged into AP state and we know non of those promises were even tried. So after discarding option 6 the only option that is left is Option 5 which is Telangana statehood with Hyderabad as their capital city. SeemAndhra can look for alternative capital.

    Jai Telangana

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  8. UnitedAndhra,
    You want to stay together (Telangana, Seema & Andhra) but the language that you use and comparison boil us. If you want to be brother I don't think you can compare your brother with Jinna or Taliban, Osama, Nazi, etc... and still expect love from us.
    This shows how bastard you are! First go and learn what is meant by Samaikyam, United. What are the steps to be taken to see people stay together. We never compared you Andhra's with any other ill people in this world. We believe that we want our state and never ever attacked on any Andhra's in Hyderabad or elsewhere. Infact Samaikya Andhra movement attacked Nalgonda people and wants us to stay together.

    If you want us to be together show some respect and love but not hatred. Hatred will not make us to change our mind but makes us strong on our goals.

    ps: I didn't control myself when Telangana people are compared with Jinna

    ReplyDelete
  9. @SunilReddy

    Hey, don't take it the wrong way. I don't think Jinnah was the villain he is portrayed by the Hindu fundus.

    All I am saying is, the last 60 years have shown that the difficult method of Co-operation adopted by Ambedkar(may be because he had no choice) is much better than the easy way of Partition adopted by Jinnah.

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  10. (vi) Keeping the State united by simultaneously providing certain definite Constitutional / Statutory measures for socio-economic development and political empowerment of Telangana region – creation of a statutorily empowered Telangana Regional Council

    ALL CRAP...Who will pay for 60yrs backwardness ? how they can balance with Constitutional / Statutory measures up to. Which Regional Council addressed for past decades ? Gentlemen, Mulki , Six-Point , 610 ???

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnitedAndhra,

    We Telangana people are on the suffering side and Andhra people are at enjoying side. Andhra people enjoyed every thing Telangana got (capital, Resources, funds, Govt. lands, etc..).
    We are in united AP since 1956 and non of our promises were fulfilled in this 54yrs. If non of Merger agreement are met I think any sensible person will say get out of this merger agreement and start your own. You can't compare Telangana issue with any other issue.
    If you are a sensible brother I think you will understand or if you are like other stubborn Andhra brother this would be my last reply.
    If you want to stay together I expect that you will know much better about us than we know. We don't expect questions or criticism from you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. EXCERPTS FROM THE REPORT(option V):
    a very large number of people from Telangana were highly supportive of the demand for a separate Telangana...The most vociferous and agitating sections are the students (particularly in Osmania and Kakatiya Universities), the unemployed youth, the lawyers and the non-gazetted Government employees;

    (i) if earlier agitations are anything to go by, this decision will give rise to serious and violent agitations in the coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, where the backlash will be immediate; the key issues being Hyderabad and sharing of water and irrigation resources;

    (ii) there will be every likelihood of pressure being put by the general public on the leaders of the political parties of Seemandhra region (MLAs/MLCs/MPs) to resign and fight for united Andhra Pradesh;

    (iii) the agitation for separation of Rayalaseema from coastal Andhra may also start taking shape sooner than expected;

    (iv) even though water and irrigation issues can be handled by creating autonomous/semi-autonomous structures, the apprehensions of the people of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema will continue to be voiced; and

    (v) the impact on internal security situation with the anticipated growth of Naxalism and religious fundamentalism.

    c) The division of the state will also have serious implications outside Andhra Pradesh. It would not only give fillip to other similar demands but it will be for the first time, after the re-organisation of states, that a political demand for dividing a linguistically constituted state would have been conceded by the Union Government with the creation of two Telugu speaking states. The issue requires a most calm and dispassionate consideration of the consequences. The matter should also be seen in the larger context of whether a region can be allowed to decide for itself what its political status should be, as that would only create a demand for a great number of small states resulting in problems of coordination and management.

    d)...the economic dimension is also not to be lost sight of. The world over, there is a trend towards economic integration with economic blocs consisting of many smaller nations being formed in the interest of enhancing economic opportunities, markets and employment....there is apprehension that Hyderabad city as a market destination and also a source of supply will be out of bounds on the creation of Telangana with Hyderabad as a separate state. Coastal Andhra would also lose a major market inherent in the huge population, business, and market concentration of the city of Hyderabad....Economically, the land locked region of Telangana may also lose out on access and opportunities to the eastern coastline which has a major port in Vishakhapatnam and many other sea ports. With vast discoveries of oil and gas on the anvil and the resultant likely spurt in economic growth and employment in the coastal region, an integrated economy is likely to benefit the people of both regions optimally rather than through separation by formation of Telangana state.

    I would like Sujai and the rest of the commentators to provide solutions to these concerns raised, instead of the ongoing bickering. The government doesn't have a magic wand that it can satisfy all the people

    ReplyDelete
  13. SKC report
    2.15.01

    One of the major arguments for a separate state of Telangana has been that since the formation of the state of AP, this region has been neglected and even discriminated against, resulting in economic and social hardship.
    Compared with coastal Andhra, it is alleged that Telangana has low per capita income, lower access to employment, lower business opportunities and low access to education and so on. It is also alleged that most of the higher level economic opportunities are appropriated by those belonging to coastal Andhra.
    At the outset, some or all such allegations appear true when absolute amounts, numbers and percentages are reviewed. Yet, when a study of rate of change, growth rate and shares in the state economy is evaluated, nothing unusual emerges. Telangana excluding Hyderabad, currently has a share of 36% in state population and 41% in state land mass. Any development parameter that is consistent with these shares can be considered on par or at parity with the population / share of land mass. Indeed, one finds that at a reference point in the past, such as the census 1961 or 1956 or 1974 since when factual data are available, the shares for Telangana were far too low (refer to Figure 2.44). In recent years, however the shares of Telangana for many common development parameters are in league with the share of population / area, often being higher.

    ReplyDelete
  14. United Indian,

    Thanks for picking and posting, perfect BS from the report. I now understand the quality of the report and I dont have to read it.

    Here are my questions/points to what you posted:

    Why would someone living outside of Hyderabad protest for Hyderabad. Why is "Seema" included in these protestsk of water sharing? Does Andhra region not have more than their fair proportion of water?

    Hyderabad loosing out on economic opportunities? Going by that standard, Banglore should have been a small village, not a global city. More over, Hyderabad is not an industrial center that would need a good sea port access.

    Two Telugu speaking states? By the way, how many Hindi speaking states do we have? Definitely not One.

    Other people demanding separate states? Have they been yearning for one for last 55+ years? Dont think so !!

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  15. @UnitedIndian

    (i)Sooner or later that is what going to happen. Seemandra@ are the reason for the current situation. We can't help them now.

    (ii)They fought for Andhra state, they fought for Madras, they fought for Jai Andhra, now they are fighting for United Andhra. Whats new here?

    (iii) I think Seema people should answer this to let every one know why they dont want to go with Andhra.

    (iv) No one can help them, this could have happened if the state wasn't merged in first place. They may face more and more problem in future if they give us more and more hard time for bifurcation.

    (v) This may be or may not be. No need to worry by imagining the future.

    (c) That means linguistic state experiment is failing. What can we do about it? Are we the one who proposed the linguistic states idea for stronger India? Dint Nehru etc opposed to that idea?

    (d) We both loosing something and we both gaining something. We are equal here.

    ReplyDelete
  16. SKC on EQUITY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS: read this and make your own conclusions

    "One of the major arguments for a separate state of Telangana has been that since the formation of the state of AP, this region has been neglected and even discriminated against, resulting in economic and social hardship. Compared with coastal Andhra, it is alleged that Telangana has low per capita income, lower access to employment, lower business opportunities and low access to education and so on. It is also alleged that most of the higher level economic opportunities are appropriated by those belonging to coastal Andhra.

    At the outset, some or all such allegations appear true when absolute amounts, numbers and percentages are reviewed. Yet, when a study of rate of change, growth rate and shares in the state economy is evaluated, nothing unusual emerges. Telangana excluding Hyderabad, currently has a share of 36% in state population and 41% in state land mass. Any development parameter that is consistent with these shares can be considered on par or at parity with the population / share of land mass. Indeed, one finds that at a reference point in the past, such as the census 1961 or 1956 or 1974 since when factual data are available, the shares for Telangana were far too low (refer to Figure 2.44). In recent years, however the shares of Telangana for many common development parameters are in league with the share of population / area, often being higher.

    There are a few crucial indicators on which Telangana is lagging behind, and they appear to have occurred due to structural causes of the economy and also due to concentration of economic activity in Hyderabad district/urban agglomeration."

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  17. SKC made quixotic proposals... Rayala Telangana was never been a serious option. Only few political jokers broached the idea to trivialize Telangana demand.

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  18. Glad that SKC didn't come up with 7th option as top recomendation asking to rename the AP state as Telangana!

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  19. Live all together fight for development of telangana but not seperation of telangana.

    i love india

    i love andhra pradesh


    let us all to be united


    all these conversations are waste of time just try to develop india dnt waste time

    ReplyDelete

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