Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000
| Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parliament of India | |
| |
| Citation | [1] |
| Enacted by | Parliament of India |
| Enacted | 25 August 2000 |
| Status: In force | |
The Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000, is an Act of the Parliament of India which enabled the creation of Chhattisgarh state out of United Madhya Pradesh.[2] The law was introduced by the NDA government headed by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to fulfil its election promise.[3]
Background
The proposal to create a separate state of Chhattisgarh had been under consideration for several decades. During the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Union Government first introduced the Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 1998 in Parliament on 22 December 1998.[4] However, the Bill lapsed following the dissolution of the 12th Lok Sabha before it could be passed.
Legislative history
Introduction in the Lok Sabha
The Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2000 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 25 July 2000 along with the Bihar Reorganisation Bill, 2000 and the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2000.[5]
Lok Sabha debate
The Bill received support from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the Indian National Congress, and several Members of Parliament from both Madhya Pradesh and the proposed state of Chhattisgarh. Prior to its introduction in Parliament, the proposal had been passed unanimously by the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly.[6]
During the debate, Ramjilal Suman of the Samajwadi Party opposed the Bill, arguing that the creation of new states could encourage similar demands elsewhere in the country and potentially lead to regional unrest. Basudeb Acharia of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) stated that his party opposed the formation of smaller states as a matter of policy. Kunwar Akhilesh Singh, Member of Parliament from Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh also of the Samajwadi Party, argued that the proposal would not adequately protect the interests of local inhabitants and warned that it could encourage future demands for states such as Bhil Pradesh. Mayawati of the Bahujan Samaj Party opposed the legislation, while Raghuvansh Prasad Singh of the Rashtriya Janata Dal described the proposal as unjust to tribal communities and moved amendments, which were rejected by the House.[7]
Supporting the Bill, Charan Das Mahant described the creation of Chhattisgarh as a measure of justice for the people of the region. Mahant and several other members, including Punnulal Mohle, delivered portions of their speeches in the Chhattisgarhi language. Members including Shyama Charan Shukla, P. R. Khunte and Chandra Pratap Singh also supported the legislation.[8]
The Lok Sabha passed the Bill by voice vote on 31 July 2000.[9]
Rajya Sabha debate
The Bill was taken up for consideration in the Rajya Sabha on 9 August 2000.[10]
Speaking in support of the Bill, senior BJP member Dilip Singh Judeo stated that the creation of Chhattisgarh would provide the region with an accessible capital and improve administrative convenience. Referring to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Judeo compared his role in creating the new state to that of Krishna in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Chhattisgarh. Balkavi Bairagi also addressed the House partly in the Chhattisgarhi language and praised its literary and cultural heritage.[11]
Opposing the Bill, Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party argued that the Union Government had not adopted any uniform criteria for the creation of new states. Khagen Das of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) maintained that the mineral-rich region should primarily benefit its tribal inhabitants and opposed the reorganisation proposal.[12]
The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill by voice vote on 9 August 2000.[13]
Enactment
The Bill received the assent of President K. R. Narayanan on 25 August 2000, becoming the Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000.[14] The Act came into force on 1 November 2000, when Chhattisgarh was formally constituted as the 26th state of India, with Raipur designated as its capital.[15]
Resulting changes
| Entity | Undivided Madhya Pradesh (before 2000) |
New | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madhya Pradesh | Chhattisgarh | ||
| Rajya Sabha Seats | 16 | 11 (list) | 5 (list) |
| Lok Sabha Seats | 40 | 29 (list) | 11 (list) |
| Legislative Assembly constituencies | 320 | 230 (list) | 90 (list) |
In addition, the Chhattisgarh High Court was set up under the 2000 Act.
See also
- Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000, by which Jharkhand was created
- Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000, by which Uttarakhand was created
References
- ↑ "The Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000" (PDF). Retrieved 18 December 2020.
- ↑ "The Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000". indiankanoon.org. 25 August 2000. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- ↑ "Chhattisgarh: quiet arrival". Archived from the original on 4 May 2004. Retrieved 15 July 2004.
- ↑ "Lok Sabha Debates Archives". Lok Sabha Secretariat. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Lok Sabha Debates – 25 July 2000". Lok Sabha Secretariat. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000". Legislative Department, Government of India. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Lok Sabha Debates – Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2000". Lok Sabha Secretariat. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Lok Sabha Debates – 31 July 2000". Lok Sabha Secretariat. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Lok Sabha Debates – 31 July 2000". Lok Sabha Secretariat. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Rajya Sabha Debates – 9 August 2000". Rajya Sabha Secretariat. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Rajya Sabha Debates – Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2000". Rajya Sabha Secretariat. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Rajya Sabha Debates – 9 August 2000". Rajya Sabha Secretariat. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Rajya Sabha Debates – 9 August 2000". Rajya Sabha Secretariat. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "The Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000". The Gazette of India. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "The Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000". Legislative Department, Government of India. Retrieved 4 July 2026.