New perspective on state politics in India at Professor JC Anand memorial lecture

Bhattacharya further explained that the political situation took a radical turn in 1991 when India embraced neo-liberal reforms. “There was some initial reluctance on the part of the Centre to involve the States in the reforms but by the mid-1990s it was clear that the states were strategically very important in carrying out reforms. The Constitution of India assigned the tasks to the States” added the professor in his lecture.

Post 1991, the professor claimed, states became significant in many ways as they became the real agents of neo-liberal reforms, played an important role in decision making at the centre as part of the coalition government era and were granted more freedom of action in matters of ‘development’ and governance.

However, not all States have been able to reap the benefits of reforms due to different factors. Earlier there was talk of uneven regional disparities but now rich state- poor state syndrome has become the stark reality threatening the federal fabric of India. Now the challenge of governance has shifted from stability and curbing violence to bring about investment,” added he professor Urvashi Gulati, former Chief Secretary, Chief State Information Commissioner and daughter of JC Anand, in her address shared that her father, Prof Anand besides being an excellent teacher and researcher, had a multifaceted personality.

“He had an uncanny ability to excel even in the fields which were once alien to him. He had the capacity to convert challenges into opportunities. He had remarkable insight and invested his time in developing Human Resource and is fondly remembered by his students who too have contributed to the welfare of society,” claimed Gulati.