Wednesday, 11 February 2015

Indian Union Territories

Union Territories are those pieces of land which are:

1. Too small to be given status of an independent state.

2. Too unique to be merged with the existing states.
3. Geographically separated, which demands direct protection and support(both economic and otherwise) from the centre.

There are seven Union Territories (UTs) in India, after Goa being given the Status of an Independent state in 1987. Of the seven only Delhi and Pondi (Puducherry) have their own Legislative assemblies. A UT can be given the status of an independent state of the Republic of India if the UT seems to show favorable signs that it can manage and perform it's own internal legislative and executive functions there after.


Seven Union Territories:


1. Delhi: New Delhi was given UT status as it is the capital of National Capital Territory(NCT) and needs centre's full attention. However, Delhi(NCT) was given semi-state status in 1991 by including near-by towns and cities. Other cities/towns include: Gurgoan, Faridabad, New faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Karnal, Rohtak, Rewari, Sonepet, Meerut, Panipat, Bhiwani, Bhagpet, Alwar and Bharatpur. Now, NCT has a High Court, Legislative Assembly, it's own Chief Minister, Council Of Ministers. Additionally, a Lieutenant Governor (appointed by the President Of India) acts as the Administrator for the New Delhi UT.  The capital of NCT and India- New Delhi is jointly administered by the Federal Govt. of India and the local government.

Capital City: New Delhi.

2. Pondi (puducherry): It is a former French Colony. It has been given the Union Territory status to safeguard the rights of indigenous cultures and averting political turmoil. As with NCT, Puducherry also has its own Legislative Assembly and Council Of Ministers, a Chief Minister and a Lieutenant Governor representing the Centre and residing at the Raj Nivas (The official residence of the then French Governors). Puducherry being a French colony has four enclaves(of former French Colonies) rather than a single large chunk of land. Puducherry includes- Pondicherry, Karaikal, Yanam on the coasts of Bay of Bengal and Mahe on the coast of Arabian Sea.

Capital City: Pondicherry.



3Daman and Diu (D. D)&

4. Dadra and Nagar Haveli(D. N. H)  : These are former Portuguese colonies. Both the UTs are taken over from the Portuguese through military conquest. Dadra is surrounded by Gujarat on all sides, Nagar Haveli is wedged between Gujarat and Maharashtra on all sides. Whereas, Daman and Diu lie on the coasts of Arabian Sea in Gujarat. D.N.H was taken over by military conquest in 1954 and D.D was taken over in 1961. However not until 31st, December 1974 did Portugal sign the treaty with Indian Republic recognizing full sovereignity of India over D.D, D.N.H and Goa as well. Goa was given status of an Independent state later in 1987. Both the UTs have Government Administrators, usually IAS officers appointed by the President of India.
Capital City of D.D: Daman.
Capital City of D.N.H: Silvasaa.



5. Andaman and Nicobar Islands(A.N.I) &

6. Lakshadweep islands(L.I): A.N.I and L.I are on an average 1200 and 300 KMS away from the Indian Sub-Continent respectively. Both the Island groups are given UT status on 1st November, 1956. Both the UTs have Government Administrators, usually IAS officers appointed by the President of India.

Post-Independence, A.N.I was then planned to be used for settlement of Anglo-Indians and Anglo-Burmans by the British. However the plan did not materialize and A.N.I became a part of India in 1950. Andaman has 572 islands and Nicobar has 24 islands in all. Indira point of the Great Nicobar is the southern most point of the Indian Sub-Continent. Andaman and Nicobar are separated by the 10 degree channel.


On the other hand, L.I was ruled by many rulers since 1500 B.C. Islam entered L.I in 7 A.D and later on many rulers including Portuguese, Cholas, Tippu Sultan(till 1799) and British ruled the Lakshadweep islands. It has 36 islands in all.


Both the UTs hold great military importance. A.N.I having the ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR COMMAND- The Only Tri-Service Geographical Command of the Indian Armed Forces. L.I having INS DWEEPRAKSHAK- Indian Naval Base to safeguard India's vital shipping lanes with the Middle East.

Capital City of A.N.I: Port Blair.
Capital City of L.I: kavaratti.

7. Chandigarh: It was the capital city of East Punjab after partition of India-Pakistan. It is now the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana(East Punjab was reorganized as Punjab and Haryana on 1st November 1966) as it is located on the Punjab-Haryana border. To ease the jurisdiction it has been made UT. Since it is a UT, it has an Administrator appointed by the President of India. However, since 1985, the Governor of Punjab has been acting as the Administrator of the UT of Chandigarh. Chandigarh is also known as the The City Beautiful. It is the first-planned city of India and is internationally known for its Architecture. The City tops the Per capita Income among the States and UTs. It has the highest Human Development Index. It is also called the cleanest city and first smoke free city of India. Master plan of the city was laid by Le Corbusier. Most Famous place: Rock Garden built by Nek Chand.

No comments:

Post a Comment