8th July, 2012 : at 9.30 am., Sambalpur (KOSAL)
Minister of State for Home Affairs Jitendra Singh in a statement in parliament on 15th May, 2012 said, “Creation of any new state has wide ramifications and direct bearing on the federal polity of our country. The Government of India moves in the matter only when there is a broad consensus in the parent state itself”.
This statement is ridiculous. For example will Naveen Pattnaik ever agree to carve out Kosalanchal
from Odisha ? Will his ministers and his coterie will move such a proposal in the state assembly ?
Jitendra Singh further said in his statement, “the Government of India has received a number of
demands and representations from time to time from various individuals and organizations for creation of new states. But the Government takes a decision on the matter of formation of new states after taking into consideration all relevant factors”.
This statement could also mean that the centre is still not too enthusiastic about new states
considering the situation in Andhra Pradesh where the demand for creating Telangana has virtually left India’s fourth largest state in tatters, both socially and politically.
On the backdrop of this a valid question may be raised as to whether there could be a second state
reorganization commission? If not at this stage will it be constituted only after hundreds and thousand crores of national property is ruined ? Today’s seminar should send a strong message to the center for constitution of a second state reorganization commission. This being the issue, the seminar should deliberate on whether there is a need for formation of a national level committee for creation of new states which will work as a pressure group and force the Government to act upon.
According to the Government, demand for separate state emanates from the perception that there is appreciable development deficit in comparison to mainstream areas of the state or appreciable short fall in development parameters. In such cases the centre will advise the state concerned to expedite development initiatives. This again is frivolous.
Development deficit or regional imbalance as we call it, is definitely ahead of other criteria for new
statehood but it is not the one and the only. There are several other criteria like cultural and linguistic differences that call for division for states. Over and above there is hegemony of one group over the other. For example in Odisha, Why do they not recognize the kosli language as the second official language of the state knowing fully well that more than one fourth of population speak and write in this language ? Why do they not teach the kosalites in their mother tongue ?
These are some of the points which immediately come to mind and perhaps to all of your minds as
well. There are many more points which may be raised in course of the seminar and deliberated upon.
I, therefore, look forward to an useful discussion on the issue and take this opportunity to implore your conscience and erudition in full form so that we wind up the day with a consensus and send the summary of the seminar to the appropriate agencies. I’m glad to say that, we’ve papers on subjects like regional imbalance in Odisha with special reference to Telangana, status of Health & Education in Western Odisha and the misery of tribal population in Kosalanchal. I once again hope the delegates will enjoy the day and fully participate in this historic seminar being organized by a fledgling political outfit i.e. Kosal Kranti Dal.
Baidyanath Mishra
Working President, KKD
1 comment:
Jay koshal sena
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