- 1953: Andhra Pradesh first state formed on linguistic basis
States Reorganization Commission
- 1954: States Reorganization Commission (Fazl Ali Commission)
- recommended creation of linguistic state for at least for major linguistic groups
- rejected theory of one language one state
- 1956: reorganization of some states took place
- Gujarat first state to be formed after this
- 1966: Punjab and Haryana were separated from each other
- 36th CAA 1975: make Sikkim a full fledged state
- 84th CAA 2000: formed Jharkhand, Uttaranchal and Chhatisgarh
Arguments in favor of small states
- decentralization of power
- govt closer to ppl
- easier geographical connectivity with seat of power
- better accountability
- solve issues related to ethnic groups, identity
- more efficient utilization of resources
- Jharkhand better economically than Bihar or MP
Against?
- fears of Balkanization, internal conflicts, strong regional identity, loss of unity
- increase in number of dispute between states over natural resources
- resource intensive; expenditure to set up new capital, employees
- lack of coordination dealing with national issues
- states suffer due to diversion of natural resoures
- Bihar lost its resources to Jharkhand