The Andhra State: Problems and Potentialities

By D. V. RAMA RAO, M.A., LL.B.

While the Andhras look forward with eager expectation to the ushering in of the Andhra State early in October, they are also aware of the various immediate problems the new State would be confronted with. Indeed, even before the formation of the State, the location of the temporary capital presented almost insurmountable difficulties. Contrary to their expectations, Madras was not available as the temporary capital and no town in Andhra was sufficiently developed for the purpose. Many a problem, including that of the capital, would have proved less knotty if a full-fledged Andhra State including the Telangana portion of Hyderabad had been decided upon; but that was not to be, and there was no option, therefore, except to find an improvised temporary capital in a hurry.

Although the coastal area towns, especially Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, are more developed and better suited for locating the capital than any in Rayalaseema, and although Justice Wanchoo recommended Visakhapatnam as the next best to Madras in view of the availability of buildings and the consequent saving on capital expenditure besides its other conveniences, yet, the moral obligations under the Sri Bang Pact were scrupulously respected by the coastal Andhras generally, in choosing Kurnool in Rayalaseema as the temporary capital. Whatever might be the justification for a section of the Press and the public of coastal Andhra to be dissatisfied with the decision, it cannot be denied that this decision has done more than anything else to remove regional suspicions and to foster friendly and harmonious relations between the Circars and Rayalaseema Andhras. Therefore, unless Rayalaseema is amenable to a review of the decision, it would be hardly wise to carry on the controversy further, and all those that strove hard to bring about unity and goodwill among the Andhras on the eve of the ushering in of the new State deserve to be congratulated.

This is, however, the first hurdle, and many more would have to be successfully negotiated before the new state is firmly established. For instance, selecting the capital does not solve the problem of finding immediate accommodation, which would have to be met both by rapidly erecting new buildings in Kurnool and by a suitable and convenient distribution of some of the departments and offices in places like Guntur, Vijayawada, Dhowleswararn and Visakhapatnam, not to speak of continuing or locating a few, like Central Government Offices, in Madras and Hyderabad. This is, no doubt, a disadvantage. But unless adequate Central aid is forthcoming, this has to be put up with, and we have to make the best of the available resources.

The next–and the most important–question that rises in one’s mind is whether the Andhra legislators would be able to form a stable government. As it is, the strength of the Congress and Communist members from Andhra is almost equal, but the reported understanding reached among the Congress Praja Socialist and Krishikar Lok Party leaders, added to the support of several Independents would, it is almost certain, enable the formation of a government commanding a comfortable majority as well as popular confidence.

The Andhra legislature would certainly not suffer from any dearth of experience or talent; it would have the services of well-tried and experienced public figures like Prakasam, Sanjiva Reddi, Koti Reddi and T. Viswanatham, besides the Krishikar Lok Party leaders, Independents like Vavilala Gopalakrishnayya, and the polished Secretary of the Praja Socialist Party–the Raja of Vizianagaram. The ever active, although cynically propagandistic,

Communist Opposition will be led by the talented T. Nagi Reddi. Since many eyes would be watching the new State, as a test case of linguistic division, the Andhras are Sure to act in a healthy spirit of accepting the challenge, if only to demonstrate to the doubting Thomases that they are no worse, if not better, than their, compatriots of other states in the business of shaping and running the new administration in a successful manner. The problem of political stability, therefore, may not prove as acute as once feared.

That brings us to the next problem of financial soundness and viability. But ‘financial viability’ is an intriguing term, since the mere balancing of a budget is no longer considered the sole test of financial stability. Indeed, even deficit financing with a definite purpose on a well calculated basis of bringing about increased prosperity is viewed by many as a sound financial proposition. Further, since almost every State is depending on increasing Central grants, the infant Andhra State too would have to depend, naturally on adequate Central aid for at least some time to come. The measure of stability and success, in the ultimate analysis, depends on sound fiscal and financial policies calculated to develop and harness the potential resources of the State to the best possible advantage rather than in the mere producing of surplus budgets. The deficit, if any, for a short time, may not be more than a crore, because the varying deficit estimates, ranging from a crore to three or four crores in a budget of over twenty crores, are largely calculated on the basis of figures for the districts without a precise allocation of the respective Andhra and Residuary Madras shares in the revenues under the head of Madras City and also certain Central allocations. So, as some suggest, financial considerations may not compel the giving up of Prohibition; but on other realistic grounds the Prohibition policy may have to be suitably modified without giving it up altogether. The initial division of assets and liabilities is likely to be the knottiest problem which may have to be referred to an expert and impartial high-power tribunal on the lines suggested by T. Viswanatham.

Provided the new State is able to devise a sound regional development programme, calculated to pay itself, and raise the requisite funds both by public loan and Central aid, it need not be a worrying problem if it were to have deficit budgets for a few years. Thus, if the two major Godavari Valley and Krishna Valley multi-purpose projects, i.e., Ramapada Sagar and Nandikonda, along with the complementary projects like Sidheswaram and Gandikota, could be started on a well-planned basis and executed efficiently, the prosperity and potentialities of the State would enormously increase. The Andhra area including Telangana would then comprise the largest block of the most fertile tract in the whole of South India, if not the country, untroubled by the food problem; besides, the hydro-electric power that could be generated thereby would help start many a suitable industry. The Andhra State, it is to be hoped, would be guided by a due sense of priorities, especially with regard to development plans, sop as to husband its resources to the best all-round advantage in the shortest possible period, without wasting energies on needless controversies and in pursuing doctrinaire reforms based on sentimental fads and slogans; and, let it be hoped, too, that the vitality and fervour of the Andhras would be used to better purpose than in mere exuberance of misguided socio-political activity.

The next and last major problem is the one relating to administrative personnel and efficiency. That of administrative efficiency and integrity being a general problem in the country, it need not be dealt with here. There would be, however, a dearth of Andhra personnel especially in higher cadres, but if the services of suitable personnel–whether Andhra or non-Andhra-could be got, it ceases to be exactly a problem, since most of the higher cadres are recruited on an all-India basis and, therefore, it would both wrong and narrow-minded for any State to expect to have all posts manned exclusively by persons belonging to a particular tract or language group. It. should be borne in mind that the principle of linguistic States is based on that of administrative convenience and redistribution of units on a rational basis in consonance with the general aspirations of the concerned people, and not on the recognition of language groups as different races or nationalities. No doubt, it would be legitimate for any language group or State, to aspire to achieve a due share in higher cadres in all spheres but it should be the outcome of merit. So, instead of bemoaning the alleged denial of opportunities to the Andhras for attaining higher administrative posts in the past in the composite Madras State, the Andhras would do well to attain by sustained efforts the requisite standards and accomplishments necessary to compete successfully in the selection of such posts.

Andhra ambition, it appears, more often finds expression in exciting but unthrifty political-cum-public activity than in calculated pursuit of lucrative and comfortable private careers: which trait partly explains the dearth of Andhra personnel not only in higher government services but even in the upper rank careers in business or the professions generally. Possibly, that is also partly responsible for the industrial backwardness of Andhradesh, for without a sufficiently large well-to-do upper middle class which largely contributes to business investments, modern industrial and commercial expansion is hardly possible, at any rate, in a democracy recognising the due place of private enterprise. Has not someone remarked that every Andhra at heart is a poet or politician? That is, perhaps, a nice way of saying that the Andhra is either impractical daydreamer or one who is apt to lose himself in profitless, though not purposeless, political excitement! Is it not the case that where a compatriot in neighbouring areas aspires to become a District Magistrate, the Andhra invariably aspires to become the President of the District Board? And that, where that compatriot aspires to retire as a Departmental Secretary on a comfortable pension, the Andhra aspires to become a political leader, if not a minister, burning all his boats long before the time retirement? To their excellent and active political inclinations let the Andhras learn to add a little cool calculation, thrift and smartness required to ensure success in varied careers, besides a due regard for civic amenities and sense of local pride, so as to ensure success in all spheres and develop their towns and villages into neat and attractive places with all requisite amenities.

To foster requisite standards of intelligence, ability and smart personality, it may be necessary for the Andhra Government to either start, or help start, by such bodies as the Ramakrishna and the Christian Missions some standard residential public schools and colleges which are at present sadly lacking in Andhradesh, The alleged high-brow snobbery associated with some of such institutions should, no doubt, be avoided, but it has to be admitted that it is usually students of well-run, although fastidious, institutions such as, for instance, the public schools in Dehra Dun and school and colleges run by the (Ramakrishna or Christian) Missions in Madras and elsewhere that acquire the requisite standards in accomplishment, smartness and methodic habits that ensure success in higher competitive examinations, whether for civil or military posts, or professional or business careers. If necessary, suitable institutions may also be started to offer refresher courses to train and streamline the aspiring young men and young women for successful careers in the higher rungs.

Both in the matter of development programme and that of starting suitable standard institutions, the services of such as S. V. Ramamurty and V. Ramakrishna, besides the guidance of such as M. Viswesvaraya and G. D. Naidu, is possible, should be welcomed. The generous public donation and response which enabled the recent opening of the Satyavati Devi St. Theresa’s Women’s College at Eluru and the reported move of the Vijayawada public to raise the requisite resources for a residential college to be started by the Loyola Mission on a hundred-acre plot, are encouraging signs that the Andhra public is keenly alive to the need in this direction. It should be noted, however, that while the aspiration to achieve a due share in higher posts and careers in all spheres is desirable, if only to remove any inferiority complex, disproportionate glamour for them should be checked; for the more enlightened and advanced a people, the less ought to be the significance of, and consequent glamour for, so called prize jobs and careers. Far more important is the problem of finding productive and gainful occupation for the large number of unemployed and under-employed by a well-coordinated development programme of promotion of industries, of revitalisation of cottage crafts like handlooms, and extension of utility services.

Fortunately, the Andhra State would have practically no communal problems. However, with regard to language and educational policies; not only should the linguistic minorities, especially of bordering bi-lingual areas, be assured of all legitimate facilities, but all citizens irrespective of language or community should enjoy equal opportunities without any discrimination, such as evidenced by the mistaken policies pursued in States like Bihar and Orissa. Further, the new State should be wary and not introduce in haste the Telugu medium for all governmental purposes or at the University stage, which would be a distinct disadvantage at present and would only result in inefficiency and isolation from others. Love of one’s language and solicitude for cultural values had better be expressed in terms of better emoluments to teachers, including Telugu and Sanskrit Pandits, authors, scholars, etc., and not in mere sentimental and unrealistic fads and empty glorification such as the presentation of ‘Pancharatnams’ (five gems in verse), a long shawl, a longer title, and a purse of Rs. 116 as the only reward of the life-work of a scholar, author or publicist! Surely, the presentation of a purse of less than ten thousand Rupees on any such occasion should come to be viewed as disgraceful. Andhradesh is not lacking in talented and illustrious authors, journalists and publicists, but excepting some individual cases that have thriven largely outside Andhradesh, hardly any have received proper response or recognition, let alone reward, from Andhradesh. One wonders if there is a single author or publicist in Andhradesh who is able to earn even one hundred Rupees a month by his writings! If conditions could be produced where, say, a hundred authors, a hundred journalists, a hundred scholars and publicists, and a hundred musicians and artists–barring cinema stars–could each earn at least five hundred Rupees a month, which is not a large sum, by his professional services, and if the pay of teachers and lecturers could be handsomely enhanced, then alone the Andhras can pat themselves for having done something concrete and substantial towards recognition of cultural values. No doubt, this requires the co-ordinated efforts of a sympathetic government, a responsive and appreciative public, and enterprising and discerning publishers. It is the practical services of persons like the late K. Nageswara Rao Pantulu through the ‘Andhra Patrika’ and allied journals, and publishing houses like Vavilla Ramaswami Sastrulu and Sons of Madras, that have done more for the promotion of Telugu language and literature than all the mere sentimental claptrap, too often indulged in by Andhras, could achieve.

If the Andhra University can help produce in Telugu a couple of hundreds of standard and well-got-up books on literature, science, history, philosophy, etc., more enduring and distinct service could be rendered thereby for the promotion of Telugu language and literature than by the hasty introduction of Telugu medium at higher stages of education or at government level. In this connection, the services of such as M. Venkatarangaiya, V. Appa Rao, and the Editor of ‘Triveni’, to mention but a few, may be utilised with advantage.

If the Andhras, who do not lack in energy, vitality, civilised instincts or good intentions, will only pay a little attention to the above aspects, besides that of improving public sanitation, health and diet, and attend to first things first in a business like manner, there is no reason why in a decade or two Andhradesh should not be transformed into a smiling and prosperous land with a healthy, enterprising and accomplished populace.

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