[Assam] From Waterwatch

[Ram Sarangapani]

C'da,
 >*** Why don't YOU give your analysis as to why and how >Karnataka is doing
better than Assam, Ram.

I will try.

But here is a comprehensive link on Assam's development and also some
research projects in Karnataka that highlight development in the state.

The link on Assam is a good one, and not just for this particular
Q &A here. Those interested in knowing *where Assam stands now and why there
has been a lacklustre development in Assam might want to read a complete
analyses*.(in MS Word and PDF)

Assam:
http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/stateplan/sdr_assam/sp_sdrassam.htm

Karnataka
http://www.isec.ac.in/projects.htm

Orissa
http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/stateplan/sdr_orissa/sp_sdrorisa.htm

>And we will get into HOW it has anything to do with Assam's >sovereignty
aspirations

You don't mean those aspirations in Assam are universal? :)

--Ram


On 3/21/06, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> *** Why don't YOU give your analysis as to why and how Karnataka is doing
> better than Assam, Ram.
>
>
> And we will get into HOW it has anything to do with Assam's sovereignty
> aspirations.
>
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> At 4:21 PM -0600 3/21/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
>
> C'da,
>
>
>
> >These kind of explanations are little more than thinly disguised
> >attempts to absolve India of its CONTROLs and to legitimize its >colonial
> ownership of the resources and the land of the people who >call it home.
>
>
>
>
>
> You are just rehashing an old argument here. The question one may ponder
> is, how is it that a 'corrupt' state like Karnataka is more developed than
> say Assam?
>
> Is it because the Center has given more to the southern states?
>
> They get preferential treatment, what?.
>
>
>
> Or is it because our representatives go to New Delhi and basically keep
> their seats warm? Or they just don't care?
>
>
>
> If the Center is bad or there is mal-governance, all states are affected.
> Somehow, some states are able to deal with it better than others.
>
> A good example is UP and MP (and Bihar too). Both these states get the
> lion's share of allocations from the Center. Yet, due to corruption and
> politicians are more interested in lining their pockets than development for
> their states, they are way behind in the national scale.
>
>
>
> So, its not just a matter of resource allocation. Its a question of voters
> asking and demanding the right things from their representatives.
>
> --Ram
>
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> On 3/21/06,* Chan Mahanta* <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
>
> Allow me to put it more succinctly:
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> "It is our OWN DAMN FAULT. And we deserve it!"
>
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> Right?
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> *WRONG!*
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> These kind of explanations are little more than thinly disguised attempts
> to absolve India of its CONTROLs and to legitimize its colonial ownership of
> the resources and the land of the people who call it home.
>
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> At 3:15 PM -0600 3/21/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
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> >Why we don't care?
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>
> Thats a good question.
>
> People may not care for a number of reasons. But the foremost must be be
> the general attitude.
>
> In Assam, we cannot say people do not 'demand' to get things done.
>
> But over the years we have seen that many of the issues we demand are
> related to 'identity' or some such thing. Identity is an important factor,
> and I am not saying we shouldn't seek to protect it.
>
> However, we don't 'demand' with the same gusto and spirit on other issues.
>
> Examples:
>
> Why has there been no agitation for 100% electricity in our villages? Or
> for clean water? Or why has there been no agitation for a comprhensive
> long-term flood control plan? Why do we wait every year after the flood to
> tell the govt.
>
> Why hasn't the whole state (before elections) demanded that xyz industry
> or manufacturing be setup in Assam?
>
>
>
> We never do. Maybe the priorities are different.Our politicians have no
> fear of not being re-elected. They know, they have to canvas for few months
> before elections, bribe their way thru, and once elected, they need not look
> back, ever.
>
> --Ram
>
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