NEWSLINKS
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTION 99
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

MP, UP assemblies okay new states

The Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly today gave its approval for the MP Reorganisation Bill 2000 for the creation of a separate Chhattisgarh state.

The bill had been sent to the state assembly for its opinion.

A similar bill for the creation of Uttarakhand state in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh was also approved by the legislative assembly in Lucknow, but with some amendments.

Uttar Pradesh wants to retain Hardwar district and also keep a control over the distribution of river waters. All major rivers of Uttar Pradesh flow down from the Himalayas through the territory of the proposed new state.

Madhya Pradesh General Administration Minister Ravindra Choube described the creation of the state as an "acceptance of a historical reality".

Presenting the Madhya Pradesh Re-organisation Bill, 2000, for discussion in the assembly, he expressed confidence that Chhattisgarh would emerge as a prosperous and glorious state. He said its formation was not a political decision nor an outcome of any large-scale agitation. The state assembly had always initiated immediate action in this regard, he said.

Choube expressed his hope that members would rise above party politics and unanimously support the 17 suggestions given by the Centre for the new state's creation.

He said Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh would amicably distribute their resources between themselves. Any disputed matter could be decided through central mediation, he said.

Provision for establishment of a separate high court for the new state had been included in the draft, he said, adding that the constitution of a state public service commission for Chhattisgarh would also be initiated.

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report