Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday fulfilled his long-standing promise to add 19 new districts to the state and take the total number of districts to 50. The Rajasthan administration has also added three new Divisions, which took the tally of Divisions in the state to 10. At an important Cabinet meeting held on Friday, the Gehlot government made these announcements.
The new districts are Anupgarh, Balotra, Beawar, Deeg, Didwana, Dudu, Gangapur City, Jaipur City, Jaipur Rural, Jodhpur City, Jodhpur Rural, Kekdi, Kotputli, Khairthal, Neemkathana, Phalodi, Salumbar, Sanchore, and Shahpura. The newly formed Divisions are Banswara, Pali, and Sikar.
This development comes just a few months ahead of the State Assembly Elections which are slated to take place later this year.
Why More Districts Were Created?
CM Gehlot, back in March, said that Rajasthan is the biggest state in the country geographically. He added that there are many districts in the state where the distance between two corners is more than 100 km which makes it difficult for people to avail of government services. The Hindustan Times quoted Gehlot as saying, “If the districts are smaller, it helps in maintaining law and order and better administration can be provided.”
He also admitted that some other states in the nation have been ahead of Rajasthan in creating new districts. The second-largest state of the nation, Madhya Pradesh has 52 districts. The estimated population of MP is around 72 million and on the other hand, the estimated population of Rajasthan is around 78 million.
Revenue Minister Ramlal Jat said that the decision taken by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will ease the pressure of administrative work. He added that the population has increased, but the districts didn't. Because of this, the pressure on the district offices had increased.