The 1st of November was an eventful day in history for seven Indian states—Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, and Kerala. Each of these significant territories observed their foundation day in reflection of their establishment. Various legislative regulations and constitutional provisions have played a key role in the formation and reorganisation of these states, thus shaping the current map of India.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: The Outcome of Reorganization Act
The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act was passed in the year 2014, a pivotal moment in the history of Indian state boundary changes. Under this act, the original state of Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated into two independent states, namely, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. This major political transformation aimed at bringing better territorial management and administrative efficiency to the newly formed states.
Chhattisgarh & Madhya Pradesh
In November 2000, another significant boundary alteration took place when Chhattisgarh was carved out from the large state of Madhya Pradesh. The creation of Chhattisgarh marked an important step towards decentralization and more effective state governance.
Punjab & Haryana: The Bifurcation in 1966
The State of Punjab underwent a significant change in 1966 when it was bifurcated to create a new state, Haryana. This division was enacted to cater to distinct cultural and social variables, thereby contributing to the ethnolinguistic map of India.
Kerala and Karnataka Formation
Kerala and Karnataka came into existence under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. The enactment of this Act was instrumental in the linguistic reorganisation of states, creating a more cohesive society.
A Glance at Some Historical Facts
Here is a brief look at some important facts related to the formation of these states:
| State | Year of Formation | Legislation Leading to Formation |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | 2014 | Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act |
| Chhattisgarh | 2000 | Bifurcation from Madhya Pradesh |
| Punjab | 1966 | Bifurcation to form Haryana |
| Kerala | 1956 | States Reorganisation Act |
| Karnataka | 1956 | States Reorganisation Act |
Constitutional Provision: Article 3
In the Indian Constitution, Article 3 grants power to the Parliament to perform various actions in relation to the states. This includes the formation of a new state, increasing or diminishing the area of any state, altering the boundaries of any state, and changing the name of any state. All these actions, however, are subject to two primary conditions: The bill proposing any such action needs a prior recommendation from the President and, before this recommendation, the bill should be referred to the concerned state legislature for its views within a given time frame. Despite these guidelines, the final decision rests with the President (or Parliament) who may either accept or reject these views.
