Is the legendary N T Rama Rao responsible for the creation of 20 new districts in Telangana State?
In a way, the answer is a yes. This was confirmed by no less a person than Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao at a meeting of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leaders on Sunday. KCR, an ardent fan of NTR even before the former and the latter took a plunge into politics, christened his son after NTR. Well, that is a different story.
The Chief Minister, while discussing the carving out of new districts at his camp office with senior TRS leaders on Sunday, recalled that he was a member of the committee that worked on the creation of the mandal system in NTR regime in (undivided) Andhra Pradesh.
Though several people opposed the creation of mandal system, NTR went ahead with that to take the administration to the door-step of the common man. The new administrative setup turned out to be a big hit with the people. A lot of opportunities opened up politically for SC, ST, BC, minorities and women with reservations in the local bodies. Revenue administration became a lot easier with smaller territories under their control.
KCR is of the strong view that the new districts he is proposing to create within Telangana will also create a similar positive effect, enhancing the political prospects of the TRS in the next elections.
It may be recalled that KCR, in an interview to a senior journalist of a TV channel a few years ago, recalled the same thing – the creation of mandals by NTR. Having closely associated with the carving out of mandals, KCR used to meet the Chief Minister regularly in 1985-86.
The anecdote KCR had narrated to the TV journalist was very interesting. The legendary Chief Minister (NTR) had called for a meeting of revenue officials, most of them who are richly experienced in the revenue administration that was inherited from the British India, and several top IAS officers.
Barring a few political leaders and a handful of trusted IAS and IPS officers, nobody used to dare say anything to or counter the argument of NTR. After a protracted deliberation, a few senior officials had told the Chief Minister: “Sir, the creation of mandal system as an alternative to the existing Panchayati Samithis (blocks, headed by Block Development Officers) and Revenue Taluqs (headed by Tehsildars) is detrimental to us. It works against us.”
Pat came the reply. NTR had sought to know who had they meant when they had said “us”. The officials replied: “Sir, it is the government.” Again, an unrelenting NTR had continued his probing questions with another salvo as to who had they meant when they had said “Government.” The Chief Minister asked: “Who is Government? You (meaning officials) or me (meaning himself and his party)?”
The officers had said: “It is you, sir.”
A determined NTR had declared: “If the disadvantage is for me, it is fine. Let us go ahead with the launch of mandal system.”
This anecdote narrated by KCR clearly indicated that he was surely inspired by his leader and somehow internalized it so much that when he got an opportunity to repeat the feat, he embarked on the exercise. This time it is districts. Telangana will likely have 30 districts in all, including the current 10. The Chief Minister also apparently mellowed down on the demands and chose not to displease anybody or any political party.
The new districts would create newer employment opportunities and a enhance the sense of belonging among government employees, but that has its own negative effects, says a senior TRS functionary.
