Regional Disparities, Smaller States and Statehood for Telangana

C.H. HANUMANTHA Rao

The essays in this book, Regional Disparities, Smaller States and Statehood for Telangana, written on different occasions over a period of four decades reflect the understanding and vision of the author with regard to the complex issues of regional disparities and emerging regional tensions, and the revival of the demands for the creation of smaller states.

The author observes that inter-state and intra-state disparities in development have not only persisted but have even increased in certain cases especially where backward regions do not have the necessary political clout in decision-making regarding public investment and provision of jobs. This has led to regional tensions and persistent demands for carving out separate states consisting of such backward areas. Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are some recent examples.

The need to reduce regional disparities in development has emerged as one of the biggest challenges in the post-reform period. According to Professor Rao, to ensure greater accountability for the development of backward regions in bigger states, it may be desirable to constitute Regional Development Boards and, where necessary, to carve out separate states comprising some of the backward regions. As early as 1969, he had argued for the economic viability of a separate Telangana state, “There is every reason to believe that separation would create conditions for the proper development of material as well as human resources of the region.”

The book is of great relevance today in view of the renewed interest in the subject.

C.H. Hanumantha Rao, formerly Chairman, Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), Delhi and Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad is presently Honorary Professor at the above institutions. He was a Fellow at the Institute of Economic Growth, University of Delhi (1961-1992) and also its Director (1976-1980).

In addition to a distinguished academic career, Professor Rao has been at the forefront of several high-level policy-making bodies under Government of India. He was a Member, Planning Commission; Seventh and Eighth Finance Commissions; Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister; Board of Directors, Reserve Bank of India; National Advisory Council; and Chairman, National Commission on Rural Labour; High Powered Fertilisers Pricing Policy Review Committee.

His publications include Technological Change and Distribution of Gains in Indian Agriculture (Macmillan, 1975); Agricultural Growth, Rural Poverty and Environment Degradation in India (OUP, 1994); Andhra Pradesh Development: Economic Reforms and Challenges Ahead (edited with S. Mahendra Dev, CESS, 2003); Essays on Agricultural Growth, Farm Size and Rural Poverty Alleviation in India (Academic Foundation, 2005); Agriculture, Food Security, Poverty, and Environment (OUP, 2005); and Essays on Development Strategy, Regional Disparities and Centre-State Financial Relations in India (Academic Foundation, 2005) and over 100 research papers in academic journals.

Professor Rao has received many awards during his illustrious career including the prestigious ‘Padma Bhushan' by the President of India in 2004.