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There is no concrete reason now for UTs to exist. There are states with small populations such as Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Goa. Whereas there are UTs with large populations such as Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, and Chandigarh. This just declares that population or size cannot be a criterion for deciding whether the people residing in an area deserve a state or a UT. These states do not have a distinct culture from their neighbouring states. They can either have a choice to merge with their neighbouring states or become a state of their own.
Concept of Union Territories
They are areas that are controlled by the Union government of India. They are federal Territories that are administered by officials appointed by the President of India.
There are twenty-eight states in our country and eight Union Territories.
Before India got its independence, It was governed by the British. They divided our nation into provinces and princely states. After getting Independence, in the year 1956 State Reorganization Act was brought in and proper states were formed in place of provinces and princely states. These states were formed on the bases of language and distinct culture.
After the State Reorganization Act, new states and Union Territories were created. The state of Bombay was split into Gujarat and Maharashtra because of language differences. Nagaland has also declared a state. Haryana was founded as a state in the southern part of Punjab. Himachal Pradesh was founded as a state in the northern part of Punjab and Chandigarh was created as a Union Territory which later became the capital of Punjab and Haryana.
Introduction of UTs
Union Territories were introduced as a part of the States Reorganization Act, 1956. They were brought on because these areas were thought to be having a distinct culture and were presumed to be financially and politically weak. They were culturally different to be merged with their neighbouring states. They had to be led by a union government.
The New States that were created in the past decade
Chattisgarh was created as a state from Madhya Pradesh. The state of Uttaranchal was also renamed Uttarakhand. Telangana became a separate state after disconnecting with Andhra Pradesh.
Provision for Creation of new Union Territories
Our constitution provides certain provisions for the creation of new Union Territories:
- Name and area of the new Union.
- Creation of new states.
- Formation of new states or modifications of existing states.
- Articles 2 and 3 of the constitution can make changes in the first and fourth schedules.
The Difference in population
States like Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim have a much smaller population than existing Union Territories such as Puducherry and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. These UT’s are said to have a distinct culture and it is proposed that it should be protected. But this argument does not hold as these Union Territories have good cultural and linguistic ties with their neighbouring states.
Recent changes in the case of Union Territories
- From January 26 2020, the Union Territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli are united.
- From 31st October 2019 Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been announced as Union Territories.
The Governing body of Union Territories
Articles 239 to 241 of the constitution deal with Union Territories. UTs are led by administrators appointed by the President of India. It can be a Lieutenant Governor or a CM. Delhi is the only Union Territory which has its own high court. Population or size cannot be a criterion for the creation of new Union Territories. Delhi, Puducherry, Jammu and Kashmir have their legislative assemblies led by a CM. However, this does not take away the president’s or the supreme court’s control over these Union Territories.
Who handles matters of Union Territories?
The Ministry of Home Affairs handles all matters of Union Territories. They discuss issues related to the political and economic development of the Union Territories.
Union Territories are an integral part of our country as they have their special rights and status. They make India a semi-federal nation.
Conclusion
People of UT’s should be a part of decisions that are made about their lands, decisions made about their cultural and linguistic ties, and also whether they wish to improve their infrastructure. They should have the ability to decide who their leader would be and should also be able to change them by the power of a vote.
New states and Union Territories can only be created by the Parliament of India. New states or Union Territories can be created independently or by merging two states or Union Territories. India has 28 states and 8 Union Territories presently. Population or size cannot be a criterion while deciding on the creation of Union Territories as there are UTs with a much larger population than existing states.
