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WHY DO WE HAVE UNION TERRITORIES? of organizations, subtracted the territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli
from Portuguese India in 1954. Although it enjoyed de facto
What purpose do Union territories serve? Why are these union independence, Dadra and Nagar Haveli were still recognized
territories not states or regions in a state? internationally (e.g., by the International Court of Justice) as
In India there are seven union territories being governed by Portuguese possessions. The residents of the former colony
Government of India (1) Delhi (2) Andaman and Nicobar Islands (3) requested the government of India for administrative help. K.G.
Lakshadeep (4) Daman and Diu (5) Dadra & Nagar Haveli (6) Badlani, an officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) was sent
Pondicherry (7) Chandigarh Union Territories in India are those as the administrator. From 1954 to 1961, the territory was
regions that are too small to be a state. And too unique to be merged administered by a body called the Varishta Panchayat of free Dadra
as a part of another state. and Nagar Haveli.
too far: Andaman & Nicobar Islands And Lakshadweep islands are Special status: Chandigarh is a major city that was claimed by both
too distant from any Indian state and it is not feasible to be managed Punjab and Haryana when these states were divided in 1966. Since,
by an another state. However, it is not big enough to be a state of its neither state wanted to give up, the central government made it an
own. Thus, the central government manages that territory by UT with a neutral ownership. Delhi, it is a capital region and thus has
providing a local representative who will represent the region's a special status like Washington DC & many such capitals.
interests. Have a different colonial heritage: Pondicherry was a French
Union Territories to States: Many of the present states were Union
colony, & Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli were all Portuguese Territories once. Eventually, the local politicians convinced the Central
colonies. For centuries, these were managed with a different government to upgrade their UT to a state with limited powers.
language, different culture and different system. They didn't want to Himachal Pradesh got the upgrade in 1971, Manipur, Meghalaya &
join the nearby states that were British colonies and with very Tripura in 1972, Goa, and Mizoram & Arunachal in 1987.
different systems.
Union territories of India have special rights and status due to their
Dadra and Nagar Haveli: After India attained Independence in 1947,
constitutional formation and development.
the residents of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, with the help of volunteers

44 daman (damão)