Recent declaration of separate Telangana
state has resulted into new spate of demand for independent state. It has given
new hopes to many people who are aspiring for separate state for them. There
are lot of discussions on these demands in the print, electronic and social
media. Everyone will have his/her own opinion on it. Similarly, I do have my
own opinion on it. Everyone has freedom to accept or reject it. But I would
like to exercise my freedom of expression here.
Many people like me would like to
see Vidarbha as a separate state. There are certain arguments in its favor and
against it. I would like to ponder over some of them and share my point of view.
Let’s take some of the factors which are argued against the formation of
separate Vidarbha.
1.
Vidarbha
can’t survive on its own: Many people argue that independent Vidarbha will
not be able to generate sufficient revenue which will be enough for running its
own affairs. They argue she is currently getting funds which are actually generated
in cities like Mumbai, Pune etc. Please see the following points and then see
merits in these arguments,
a. There
are so many perennial rivers like Wainganaga, Wardha, Vena etc. run through
many districts of Vidarbha. Their basins have created very fertile land in the
region. In short, it has good amount of water and fertile land.
b. Vidarbha
produces variety of crops. The region produces rice, wheat, jawar, pulses,
soybean and cash crops like cotton and oranges. In short, it is self-sufficient
in food grains.
c. Vidarbha
is completely self-sufficient in electric power.
d. Vidarbha
is rich in ore deposits. She has big reserves of Coal, Manganese, Calcium, Mica
etc. Rest of Maharashtra lacks it.
e. All
major cities and district headquarters are connected with rail network. Large railway
junctions are there in Nagpur, Wardha and Ballarpur. In short, good
infrastructure for transportation.
f.
Nagpur is located in the center of the
region and has operational airport. It has good connectivity with all the major
cities in India.
g. Educational
institutes like VRCE, GMC and LIT have earned their name in the world. In
short, good infrastructure for higher education.
h. Vidarbha
has 50% of total forest in Maharashtra. There are many reserve forests. The
forest produce such as Tendu leaves, Moha flowers, bamboo, teak wood, Sandal wood
and other precious forest produce can help the economy. In addition to that,
there are lot of historical places. In short, Vidarbha can become a very good
destination for tourism.
2.
Vidarbha
does not have good leadership: This statement is similar to what Winston
Churchill had said once. He was democratically elected Prime Minister of UK and
was absolutely not in favor of granting independence to India. He said that
Indian Politicians are not ready / mature enough to run the country! Leadership
will evolve, if opportunity is given. India has progressed against Churchill’s will.
Vidarbha will progress against the will of opposing people.
3.
Agitation
is not as effective as Telangana: What do you expect? Demands would be
fulfilled only when some people are killed in the agitation or public life is disrupted
after huge demonstrations. Demand should be agreed / fulfilled in peaceful and
democratic manner.
4.
Vidarbha
does not have sea boundary: So what!! Even New Delhi does not have sea
port. There are so many states which are prosperous and progressing without any
sea port.
Then I wonder what would be the reasons
for opposing the demand for separate Vidarbha. I see the following factors
which are responsible for it.
1. Vidarbha
provides most of the power required for Maharashtra. Rural area in Vidarbha has
to face long load shading so that cities in Western Maharashtra can get 24 X 7
electricity.
2. It
is easier to grab agricultural land in Vidarbha under the pretext of irrigation
projects and divert the water outside of Vidarbha. Current ruling elite can’t
dare to do it in western Maharashtra.
3. Vidarbha
has 50% of the total forest in Maharashtra. The Forest Minister is from Sangali
District where there is negligible forest. But 100% funds can be diverted to
rest of the Maharashtra.
4. Central
government’s funds, which are meant for Vidarbha, can be diverted to other part
of Maharashtra. We have seen this happening when PM visited suicide affected
region and declared the separate funds for Vidarbha. The Govt. of Maharashtra
diverted it to the rest of Maharashtra.
In short, leaders of western
Maharashtra can achieve the progress of their region at the cost of Vidarbha!
Once it was very prosperous
region. We hear the stories of its prosperity from our older generation. Then what
happened now? There is large scale migration of educated youth, Agricultural
produce has come down, government does not give good rates to cotton, rice,
there are less employment opportunities, so many projects are declared but they
are not completed yet. We need to think over it! The power sharing in
Maharashtra is completely skewed. There are 4 ministers from Sangali district
alone. But there are many districts in Vidarbha who do not any representation
in the ministry.
What are the advantages, if a separate
Vidarbha state is formed?
1. Today,
the entire Maharashtra’s politics is controlled by Maratha community.
Maharashtra cannot get any non-Maratha Chief Minister. There is no dominating
community in Vidarbha. Therefore, there is equal opportunity for everyone. The
leader will be selected based on his/her merit and contribution.
2. Nagpur
has complete infrastructure required for Capital (as it was earlier capital of
C P & Berar). It is headquarter of many public sector companies, railway
divisions and research institutes. Reserve Bank is also there.
3. Nagpur
is in the middle of the Vidarbha. People will not have to travel long distance
to reach to state capital.
4. All
the development funds would be available at her disposal. The corruption cannot
be eradicated. But the current practice of state government of diverting entire
funds elsewhere will stop and Vidarbha can progress faster than now.
5. Today,
there are very few industries in Nagpur. But the rest of the Vidarbha has negligible
industry. There would be renewed focus on industrial growth and cities like
Amaravati, Akola and Chandrapur can become new industrial hub and can generate
more employment opportunities.
6. The
new state will be with surplus energy. There is sufficient water. It would be very
easy to attract industries in the region.
7. New
state can promote new set of industries based on agricultural and forest produce.
8. Today
youth (especially engineers) of Vidarbha have to search for a job in Pune,
Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore etc. This migration cannot be stopped overnight.
But separate state will create such opportunities which will help to
stop/reduce such migration in next 10-15 years.
In short, the independent Vidarbha would be
viable, self-reliant, prosperous, progressive state. It will certainly
demonstrate the leadership and can be a good example of creating smaller states
for good governance. Therefore, I
strongly support for separate Vidarbha! Do You?
