Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan Chat from IBN Live

JP needs no introduction. On Feb 22, IBN live organized a chat session with JP with the public. The following are few questions and answers that caught my attention from this chat. Click here for the full chat script.

gottimukkala raju:when do we think, we would find telangana a reality? what do u think are the major stumbling blocks?
Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan: A new State can be created only when there is a broad consensus within the State. In this case, AP is the first non-Hindi state sought to be divided, and Telangana is the first region with a major city as State capital in it, which wants separation. Both make it hugely complex.

venkatesh medabalimi:One significant aspect of the current protests has been extreme paranoia among certain student communities, some going to the extent of suicides. How do you think one can take practical measures to prevent these actions while evolving consensus before taking any decision?
Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan: People are gullible. Romantic sacrificialism and contagious suicides are not uncommon. Mature leadership, family bonds, societal institutions giving emotional support, sensible teachers – all are critical in preventing such tragic incidents.

Vijay1440:I do not have any issues in saying that Telangana is ALSO not developed, But why do you think that it is not developed? Who are the culprits?
Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan: Evidence shows that 8 of the 10 districts of Telangana are growing much faster than AP over the period 1994-95 to 2006-07. In the rest of AP, only three districts out of 13 have growth rates higher than AP’s. Nor surprisingly, 5 of the 10 districts of Telangana have per-capita incomes higher than in the whole AP. The districts of Telangana are far ahead of the other districts of erstwhile Hyderabad State which are in Maharashtra (with the exception of Aurangabad) and Karnataka. The problem is clearly not economic – it is political.

Vijay1440:Definitely there may be some differences in the way of funds spent in Andhra Pradesh over 50+ years across areas of Andhra Pradesh. But did those differences of spending funds took place because of some ruling people who intentionally tried to ruin Telangana. Even if that is the case, what happened to the funds spent in Telangana? were they fully utilized for the development of the public.
Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan: There is no evidence of organized discrimination of any region or any district in AP, or for that matter elsewhere in India. It simply is not possible in our open, though flawed democracy. Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Guntur, Nellore, Anantapur, Kurnool, Chittoor and Cuddpah are much poorer than most of Telangana. The problems are corruption, misplaced priorities, poor implementation and absence of effective local governance.