VIJAYAWADA: Veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar has said development of a state is dependent on its size. If a state is divided into pieces yielding to the demand of regional forces, development will certainly take a back seat, he said.
Participating in a Meet the Press programme organised at the Press Club here yesterday, he said bifurcation of Punjab was a big mistake. Both Punjab and Haryana could not achieve any major development after the bifurcation of the state.
Referring to the demand for creation of a separate Telangana state, he said Andhra Pradesh could achieve rapid economic growth when only it remained united. Creation of a separate Telangana state with only 10 districts was not a wise thing, he said.
Speaking on the present political system, he said it lacked commitment and transparency. Hence, people are expecting more from the judiciary.
Black money would be a major issue in the ensuing Assembly elections in five states. The Union government should evolve stringent laws to curb black money and reach understanding with foreign countries to bring back the money stashed by Indians in banks abroad. There should be a common market for all South Asian countries for the economic prosperity of the region, he said.
On India’s relations with neighbouring nations, Nayar said he would visit Pakistan on March 17 as part of the people to people contact programme between the two countries. Friendship is the need of the hour for both the countries, he said.
Expressing concern over the growing tendency of paid articles in the print media, he said a seminar was organised on the issue in New Delhi recently. But surprisingly the seminar was not covered by many newspapers.
To uphold the unity and integrity of the country, the media should not cross the Lakshmana Rekha as freedom of press has certain limitations, he said.
Senior journalist C Raghavachari, APUWJ vice-president Ambati Anjaneyulu, Press club president SK Babu and secretary A Brahmaiah were also present.