With a new administrative map, Andhra Pradesh doubled its number of districts from 13 to 26 now in order to improve the governance and delivery of services.
The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said that this move will help in the decentralised development of all the regions. The government also announced the creation of village secretariats.
Andhra Pradesh is strategically located in the Indian subcontinent having the 2nd largest coastline in the country with a length of 974 km. With a total area of 1,60,205 sq km, over 49.67 million (2011 census) people dwell in the state.
Jump To
Promise of CM Jagan Mohan Reddy
Twitter
During the election campaign of 2019, CM Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy promised that each 25 Lok Sabha constituencies would be made into districts if his party wins the election.
The government stated on the decision, “With the formation of smaller districts – distance from the district centre to remote and border villages will be reduced… District administration will come closer to the people…”
Decentralised Development
The government said that new arrangements would be helpful in the decentralised development of the regions. The services to people will become more transparent and hassle-free, the government has decided to have the camp offices of district police officers and other government departments reside in the same premises so people were not required to travel long for their work.
As an exception, focusing more on the tribal areas and development, the government has split Araku into two districts.
Demand for Andhra Pradesh
Siasat
Andhra Pradesh was the first state created on the basis of language in 1953. After independence, a Gandhian and freedom fighter Potti Sriramulu launched the widespread movement demanding the creation of a separate state for Telegu speaking people. Before separation, it was part of the Madras Presidency.
Potti Sriramulu went on hunger strike but died on the 56th day of the fast. This infuriated people and peaceful protest turned violent with hartals in many towns and angry mobs destroying public property deteriorated the situation.
The then Prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru was not in favour of carving out a new state but had to take the decision after the situation worsen.
Creation of Andhra Pradesh
Thus, on 1 October 1953, Andhra came into existence, carved out from the state of Madras with Kurnool as its capital city. The name was changed from Andhra state to Andhra Pradesh in 1956.
When Andhra was formed, other communities also started demanding their own state. As demand was coming out from the various parts of the country, the States Reorganisation Act was passed in 1956. The act led to the creation of 14 states and 6 Union Territories.
In 2014 after fighting for over 60 years, Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh as people were unable to mingle having differences in customs and traditions.
What is the States reorganisation act, 1956?
The States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) was constituted in 1953 first to delve into the issues arising from different parts of the country demanding a separate state.
The then PM Nehru appointed the commission which was headed by S. Fazal Ali and had 2 members namely M. Panikkar & H. N. Kunzru
The commission submitted its report in September 1956 and recommended the principles and broad guidelines on which the States can be reorganised.
To implement the recommendations of the report, the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, was enacted by the Parliament under Article 3 of the Constitution of India.
The constitution (7th Amendment) Act, 1956 implemented the scheme of States reorganisation. As a result of the act, Andhra Pradesh, Bombay, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Madras, Mysore, Punjab and Rajasthan were formed.
For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit universo virtual News.