Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced the formation of three new
districts in poll-bound Rajasthan, taking their total number to 53.
The announcement comes before the Model Code of Conduct takes
effect in the State. The Model Code comes into force when the date for assembly
elections, due later this year, are formally announced.
The Rajasthan Government had earlier notified the formation of 17
new districts following Cabinet approval to take their total number to 50.
The 17 new districts formally came into being in August. Now, with
the announcement to create three districts – Malpura, Sujangarh and Kuchaman
City – the number of districts in Rajasthan will further rise to 53.
“According to public demand and recommendation of a high-level
committee, three new districts will be created in Rajasthan – Malpura,
Sujangarh and Kuchaman City. Now Rajasthan will have 53 districts,” CM Gehlot
said in a post on X.
In future also, matters such as the demarcation of districts will
continue to be resolved on the basis of the committee’s recommendations, he
said.
The government had earlier turned Deedwana-Kuchaman, previously
part of Nagaur, into a new district. Now, Kuchaman City has been announced as a
separate district.
Sujangarh is currently a part of Churu while Malpura will be carved
out of Tonk.
Some locals in Sujangarh had been holding protests to demand a new
district for some time.
Gehlot told reporters that the demands from other areas will also
be examined. The work to demarcate the new districts will be done jointly by
the Ramlubhaya Committee, which recommended the formation of the new districts,
and the revenue department.
Speaking on CM Gehlot’s announcement, Deputy Leader of Opposition
Satish Poonia said it is clear that the Chief Minister is under political
pressure.
“The Congress will not gain any benefit as the decision (to create
three new districts) came after a public protest and was not the government’s
intention,” he said.
The 17 districts announced earlier were Jaipur Rural, Jodhpur
Rural, Apupgarh, Balotra, Beawar, Deeg, Didwana-Kuchaman, Dudu, Gangapur City,
Kekri, Kotputli-Behror, Khairthal-Tijara, Neem ka Thana, Phalodi, Slumber,
Sanchore and Shahpura.
PTI
