MAHARASHTRA- KARNATAKA BORDER DISPUTE
Why in news: Recently both the state assemblies have passed a resolution reiterating their positions on the issue.
Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute:
- The dispute is over Belgavi, Karwar and Nepani areas which currently lies in Northern Karnataka.
- As per States Reorganisation Act 1956, BELGAVI became the part of erstwhile State of Mysore.
- But Maharashtra Government claims that BELGAVI should remain with them as it has dominant Marathi speakers and the reorganisation of states was done along linguistic lines via the State Reorganisation Act, 1956.
- Maharashtra also claimed that an area of 2,806 square miles that involved 814 villages, and three urban settlements of Belagavi, Karwar and Nepani with a total population of about 6.7 lakh were all part of the Mumbai Presidency before independence.
KARNATAKA GOVERNMENT RESPONSE:
- Karnataka has refused to part with its territory and argued that the settlement of boundaries was done as per the States Reorganisation Act and it is final.
- The State also argues that the issue would reopen other border disputes that have not been contemplated under the Act and such demands should not be permitted.
CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS STAND:
- In 1966, government setup MAHAJAN Commission led by former CJI MEHR CHAND MAHAJAN to resolve the border dispute.
- The commission recommended that BELGAUM and other 247 villages should remain with Karnataka.
- Maharashtra outrightly rejected the report and filed a petition in Supreme Court.
- Later, Supreme Court in 2006, held that the issue should be resolved through mutual negotiation and consensus and that linguistic criterion should not be considered anymore as it may create more practical problems.
- Recently, Union Home minister met the chief ministers of both the states and asked them to form a six-member team, comprising three ministers from each side to resolve the issue.
Syllabus- Prelims + Mains; GS2 Polity and governance