Hopes of fair and equitable treatment at the hands of
the Centre, seem to be withering out—and unable either
to answer or satisfy the demand made in their respective
‘regions’, one after another of the Chief Minister of
the South, are becoming more and more vocal and are
attempting to become bold. That by itself is a healthy
sign—a step in the right direction.
When it was pointed out, that the Government of India
is industrialising the North alone—sinking thousands
of crores of rupees there, and neglecting the South,—these
‘Chiefs’ sneered at such remarks, and said that to think
in terms of this or that region is foolish—you are masters
of the industrialised North as much as you are of the
South! Bhakra is as much yours as it is the Punjabi’s,
for, Southern or Northern, you should remember you are
an Indian, and should rejoice at the remarkable pace
of industrialisations going on in some part or other
of India.
Much as they tried to vend this stuff, they had to close
down the shop! People felt and began to express their
concern at the fact, that the North was being more and
more inudstrialised.
The biggest dams, the largest factories, the latest
Research Centres were all located in the North—while
the South was asked to enjoy idyllic beauty!
People were shown statistics of improvement—the information
films brought before their eyes, the panorama of improvement—all
of the North! Naturally they were irritated.
The State Ministers of the South, found to their dismay,
distress written on the faces of the teeming millions.
The clamour for more and more employment became acute.
Only through an extensive and intensive industrialisation,
could this growing menace of unemployment be warded
off.
‘Chiefs’ of the South could only plant cashew-nut seedlings
or open chapel shops. The bigger projects, needed the
approval of and active help from the Centre and the
Centre was busy loading the North with more and more
plants and projects.
The Ministers of the Southern States, had to offer some
explanation for the backwardness of their respective
States.
They for some time explained the situation by pointing
out that essential raw materials like iron, coal and
power were not available. But geologists disproved this
argument and experts pointed out the classic example
of Japan which has built up a flourishing steel industry,
though there are no iron ores there!
So, the Ministers were placed in an awkward position—they
had to fish out some other apologia! For, to demand
justice and fair treatment might cause irritation in
the minds of those at Delhi—who were practically controlling
the destiny of these leaders.
They dare not talk in terms of North and South—that
would mean they are falling in line, with those agitating
for a radical change in the pattern of political arrangement.
The Demi-Gods at Delhi would smite them down!
They should speak for their ‘region’ if only to pacify
their people but in a language that would not awaken
either suspicion or anger in the minds of those at Delhi.
And writers of Economic Text books, came to their rescue;
they offered the phrase, ‘imbalance’.
The Chiefs, clutched at this sheet anchor with joy.
It is not a question of North Vs. South—it is not rancour
or jealousy—it is an economic tenet, pure and simple,
there should not be concentration of industries in a
particular region alone—industries ought to be spread
out; if not there would be imbalance!
“Masterjee! Please do not think that because of hunger,
I covet those things on your dining table—I am but placing
this plea before you; if so much is consumed by your
goodself, there is the possibility of an attack of indigestion,
and that is bad—and so to avoid indigestion, give away
some dishes to the needy—for instance, me, emaciated
as I happen to be.”
If a beggar becomes eloquent, he would talk in some
such strain—the Chiefs somehow took up this line of
argument, and began speaking about the dangers of imbalance.
Probably they thought that such a nice hint would be
enough for the astute leaders at Delhi. They thought,
that there would be a sort of decentralisation and the
like.
But, as if in answer to their criticism about the imbalance,
came the new slogan from Pandit Nehru—“this craze for
gigantism in industry should be given up.”
Gigantic Projects and plans are by now completed—in
the North—and just at the moment, when those Chiefs
of the South, marshalled out enough courage to speak
about the dangers inherent in imbalance, Pandit Nehru
came forward banging at the very idea of big industries—gigantism.
Hopes were hence dashed to the ground—and now the Chiefs
had to become a bit outspoken.
It was in such a mood, that, Mr.Sanjeeva Reddi spoke,
while inaugurating the Andhra Pradesh Businessmen’s
Conference held at Hyderabad.
Inaugurating the Conference he said industries in the
country today were concentrated in certain areas and
he pleaded for a ‘spread over.’
Mr. Sanjeeva Reddy urged the businessmen to start new
industries in the Andhra Pradesh.
It is significant, that Mr. Sanjeeva Reddy invited businessmen
from Madras and Mysore to come and start industries.
It is not without significance that the Chief of Andhra
Pradesh did not think it fit to invite businessmen from
North!
It was for the first time, the chief minister said,
that businessmen from the four Southern States had got
together. He hoped the meeting would help them assess
us to how best the resources of these States could be
pooled up for their industrial development.
The conference it is reported was attended besides delegates
from Andhra Pradesh, by over 60 representatives of various
Chambers of Commerce of Madras, Mysore and Kerala.
In fact, after the deliberations, taking the cue perhaps
from the Chief Minister’s speech the zonal council of
the Chambers of Commerce of Southern India, announced
the formation of a Committee of five to draft the development
plan for the South.
These are not trends without significance—the more explicit
our interpretation of these trends, the louder would
be their denial! For, they are cautious men, who would
refuse to be dragged into controversies! For them, prudence
is the better part of valour.
Nor was this all. An Andhra M.P., Mr. Rami Reddy, began
lecturing about the evils of imbalance on the floor
of the Lok Sabha—and pleaded for the starting of a fertiliser
factory at least in the public sector!
And, Mr. Brahmananda Reddy, the Finance Minister, has
stated that the Centre’s assistance was not encouraging.
The Minister sounded a note of regret that the Central
assistance in the shape of loans and grants for the
Andhra Pradesh plan had remained practically stationary,
at about 19 crores to 20 crores a year, while the State’s
own contribution had risen in each of the last three
years.
Mrs. Nallamuthu Ramamoorthi, though in the Congress
fold, had to voice forth the feelings of the State of
Madras thus:
The South had been given not a single new railway line
during the second plan. Something must be done to make
good this deficiency in the very first year of the third
plan.
They who control the destiny of the Southern States,
dare not present a ‘fatalist’ interpretation—they have
to be plain even at the risk of incurring the displeasure
of those at Delhi—for, their real masters, the people,
want the truth to be told! And truth always triumphs.
And these sentiments expressed, do but show, that truth
comes trickling! That is better than flat denials or
bunkum. They are on the right track.
(Sub-Editorial - 22-02-1959)