A CHALLENGE TO DEMOCRACY.

Introduction:1. Indian democracy has many challenges in

today’s world & one such major challenge is Regional Disparity.

2. Regional Disparities has become an extremely sensitive issue in recent times with serious social & political ramifications.

3. Such chronic persistence of underdevelopment over a major part of any state is a reality & poses a challenge to democracy

Conceptual Framework:Backwardness: According to the National Committee on

Development of Backward Areas, areas identified as backward must have three key characteristics:

Potential for development. Some inhibiting factor preventing this potential

from being realized &, Need for special programme to remove or

mitigate the inhibiting factor & realize the full potential for development.

Regional Disparity: In a democratic set up like India, regional

disparity can be defined as “The co-existence of relatively developed & economically depressed states & even regions within each state”. This difference may be due to the uneven growth in a country, state, district or any other place as the case may be. Thus any areas having such uneven growth are said to be facing the problems of disparities, which may eventually lead to its backwardness.

HISTORY:

At the time of states re-organization in 1956, many Kannada speaking regions which belonged to the then neighboring states were integrated & the new enlarged state of Mysore (now Karnataka) was established. Among the integrated areas, the areas presently known as Hyderabad- Karnataka & Bombay- Karnataka came into existence.

Hyderabad- Karnataka is the name given to the area which was the part of erstwhile Hyderabad province, when the new state of Mysore (presently Karnataka) was formed in 1956. Kannada speaking areas of Hyderabad province were added to new state. These areas later came to be known as Hyderabad- Karnataka region. At present Hyderabad- Karnataka region includes the districts of Bellary, Bidar, Gulbarga, Raichur, Koppal, & Yadgiri.

Source-Report of HPCFRRI, June 2002. Karnataka Development Report 2007

The reasons for regional disparity in Hyderabad-Karnataka: Natural Factors:Topographical reasons:Climatic conditionsInadequate rainfallLack of mineral resources,Non existence of perennial riversForestsSuch uneven distribution is a natural hindrance

for the development of the region.

Historical Factors:Before 1947

After 1947

Socio-Economic Factors:The basic cause of this disparity is that,

states lack an inherent mechanism to ensure that in the long run, the benefits of economic change are distributed equally. This failure on the part of state (govt) may be due to:

NegligenceDeliberate policies lack of attitude

To quote about this HPCFRRI in 2002 expressed: “while Mysore-Karnataka has for historical reasons registered relatively a higher level of development, this is not so in respect of other regions. If we take Hyd-Kar region, it can be asserted that the entire region has not registered any development at all. Only substantial improvements in output, income & infrastructure have taken place between 1956 & 2000. But due to lower base with which they started in 1956, the relative development registered through the annual & five year plans & also Externally Assisted projects implemented in these areas & rates of growth have not been adequate to reach Mysore-Karnataka level”.

Measures taken to address the issue :

A High Power Committee for the Redressal of Regional Imbalances (HPCFRRI) was constituted by the state govt in 2000. The Committee headed by Dr. D.M. Nanjundappa submitted its report in June 2002. The Committee identified 35 indicators encompassing agriculture, industry, social & economic infrastructure & population characteristics to measure & prepare an index of development. The Composite Development Index of each district clearly shows the regional disparity in Karnataka.

The Composite Development Index: Ranking of District in Karnataka

Source: Report of HPCFRRI, June 2002.

Source: Report of HPCFRRI, June 2002

Source: Report of HPCFRRI, June 2002.

Backward Taluks

The performance of districts in Human Development

Source: Report of HPCFRRI, June 2002.

Top & Bottom 5 Ranking Districts in HDI

Literacy:

In demographic features the increase in population leading to the density of population.

The female literacy is the lowest in the region when compared to the state

Overall literacy *rate:Bidar (61%)- 13Bellary (57%)- 16Raichur (51%)- 18Gulbarga (50%)- 19th rank & stands at bottom

level.(2001 census)  

source- Indian States at a Glance 2008-09

Regional Disparity in Hyd-Kar: A Challenge to Democracy? 1.Breeding grounds for long term discontent

among the people. *low standard of living *lesser political participation *political apathy2.Leads to the loss of trust *on the politicians & representatives *poor reflection given on the country’s

Bureaucracy & policies.

*ultimately a Democratic deficit.

3. leads to identity crisis.

4. political opportunism leads to political instability giving birth to political corruption.

5. leads to corporate inequality No- “right to bargain”

6. often branded as ‘Regionalism’ rekindle the fears of disunity?

7. a potent time-bomb directed against national unity & political stability.

The Demand

Demand for separate state……..?

OR

Amendment to Article-371…….?

Overcoming the ChallengesThe National Integration Council of 1961 urged

that “a rapid development of the economically backward regions in any state should be given priority in national & state plans, atleast to the extent that the minimum level of development is reached for all state within a stated period”.

HPCFRRI: * minimum critical effort is needed * “backward regions do need a

preferential treatment & this cannot be over emphasized”

reduction of regional disparities should be looked upon as a national objective.

The political leaders should share a common vision of Regional Development & must be committed

identifying the barriers & formulating policies accordingly

the solution also rests with the local leadership

Altogether if the state makes an earnest effort, then the problems of regional disparities could be minimized, so is its challenge to the democracy.