Uttar Pradesh Division Panel discussion by BIMTECH and parichowk.com-Part 1.

A panel discussion on 'Division of U.P. -- Future Implications for Western U.P' was organized by Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) with the partnership of Parichowk.com on 4th November 2011 in its Greater Noida campus. The India Centre for Public Policy (ICPP), a think tank and research centre of BIMTECH, convened this enlightening discussion in the backdrop of U.P. government proposal to divide the state in four parts -- West U.P., Poorvanchal or East UP, Bundelkhand and Awadh Pradesh. The much esteemed panelists illuminated the diverse gathering with their sharp and substantive remarks. The honored panelists were Mr. M. Ramachandran - retired IAS of U.P. cadre and former adviser of U.P. government on infrastructure, Mr. Shravan Kumar Sharma - a former bureaucrat in U.P. government, Mr Sanjeev Rampal -- VP of JP Greens and veteran journalist Mr. Pratap Somvanshi. The discussion was moderated by Dr. H. Chaturvedi, Director of BIMTECH. This was attended by senior bureaucrats, defense personnel, media personalities, civil society, academicians and politics in addition to academics.

Dr C Haturvedi started discussion with the glorious history of U.P. and its contribution in the national movement of independence. He set a background by comparing the size of the state and big population of 19.95 crore. The point of discussion were are small states are more efficient and governable? What does history suggests in this regard especially the cases of Uttarkahnd, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh? Would the proposed states like Bundelkhand and Poorvanchal be economically viable and sustainable? He also asked the panel to make comment about the law and order situation in Gautam Budha Nagar and its impact on future investment.
The panelists seemed unanimous for division but they expressed forcefully that it should be a well thought out plan and not a political opportunism. They said about lack of clear blueprint or roadmap for such division. The view was the focus should have been improving law and order situation first with reducing corruption and then think on these issues. The stress was also made on forming consensus first among major political parties. Mr. Shravan Kumar Sharma said that small states are more administratively viable and fulfills people aspirations and need so the division must not be opposed on emotional issue but it should be well thought out. The panel also stressed that earlier division of many states came through popular movements of people and on the basis of culture and language and not mere comparative politics. The role of leadership and resources for success of small sates were put by Mr. M. Ramanchandran as he made his case and comparison for successful divided states like Chattisgarh and Uttaranchal and failure to some extent Jharkhand. The law and order as an issue for proposed West U.P. was expressed as concern.
The representative of various institutional bodies also shared their thought and remarks in last session. There have been a near unanimity for division but people participated and panelist clearly voiced that any division must be with wider consultation and must not necessarily a number of 4 will suit to the purpose, it must be done with the process of Vision and Leadership so the development agenda is met and cultural heritage of U.P. remains preserved.

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