Of the six options that the Srikrishna Committee — which examined the demand for a separate state of Telangana — explored, the proposal that Andhra Pradesh should remain united and constitutional measures should be provided to address the socio-economic issues of the region is indeed the best. There are backward regions in almost every State and if every region is to be declared a separate state, our country will be broken into at least a hundred parts. Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh have proved that the formation of separate states does not guarantee development. Most movements for separate states are driven more by the political ambitions of some leaders rather than genuine public concerns.
N. Venkata Sai Praveen,
Kozhikode
The editorial “A sagacious prescription” (Jan. 7) has rightly supported the best of the six options suggested by the Srikrishna Committee. The Telugu people were among the first to insist on the linguistic division of States, after which Andhra Pradesh was formed. If Telangana is given statehood, the demand for a separate Vidharbha and similar demands in other regions will gather momentum. It is heartening to note that The Hindu has supported a united Andhra Pradesh. Of course, suitable guarantees for the development of backward regions should be provided to fulfil the aspirations of those who feel they have been wronged.
R.R. Ayyar,
Chennai
The cartoon (Jan. 8) has aptly portrayed the Telangana scene. The Srikrishna Committee's prescription is, no doubt, excellent. But the question is whether the patient will be ready to swallow the medicine. The solution to the issue remains as distant and elusive as ever.
Manohar Alembath,
Kannur
It is not the question of which one of Srikrishna Committee's options is the best. Will the State government and the Centre implement the recommendations? Successive governments in Andhra Pradesh have failed to provide economic and social benefits to the people of the Telangana region.
T.R. Sharath,
Mandya
The need of the hour is a meaningful debate by all political parties. In the interest of the people, Andhra Pradesh and the nation, they should exercise restraint and desist from making the issue emotional.
Undoubtedly, the option of keeping Andhra Pradesh united with the formation of a Telangana Regional Council is the best. The onus is on the Telangana Rashtra Samithi which is vehemently opposed to all options other than the one that recommends bifurcation, with Hyderabad as the capital of Telangana.
S. Raghavendra Rao,
Nellore
The Committee report is commendable not because it has listed various options but because it has done a comprehensive study of the factors contributing to underdevelopment. Lack of employable education and political will to bring about equitable development is the most important reason for the situation obtaining today.
Gautam Allada,
Srikakulam
In spite of being rich in resources, Telangana is suffering from poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. Most of the rivers in Andhra Pradesh flow through Telangana but the water is hardly used for the region.
A Water Management Board and an Irrigation Project Development Corporation should be constituted in a separate state of Telangana. Only then will justice be done to the people of the region who have seen much political turmoil.
Raghuprasad Halakere,
Koppal
Academic exercises can, at best, offer perspectives on complex issues. If the suggested institutional arrangements to address the imbalances in Andhra Pradesh are a solution to the demand for statehood, the issue would have been peacefully resolved decades ago. Developments over the next couple of years will prove decisive in addressing the statehood issue, regardless of what the Srikrishna Committee has recommended.
Snehith Sankineni,
Hyderabad
