CREATING NEW DISTRICTS:PROCEDURE, RATIONALE, AND CRITICISM

Jun 18, 2024

CREATING NEW DISTRICTS:PROCEDURE, RATIONALE, AND CRITICISM

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

India has seen the creation of 50 new districts since 2020, with states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam leading the way. This trend reflects both administrative and political motives.

DRIVERS BEHIND NEW DISTRICTS

1. Administrative Convenience: Smaller districts bring administration closer to the people, facilitating better governance and service delivery.

2. Political Expediency: Creating new districts can be a political strategy to gain favor with local populations, especially before elections.

3. Public Demand: Many new districts are formed in response to long-standing public demands for greater attention and resources.

PROCEDURE

1. Assessment: State governments assess the need based on factors such as population size, geographical area, and administrative efficiency.

2. Proposals: Proposals for new districts are prepared, outlining the rationale and expected benefits.

3. Approval: These proposals are reviewed and approved by the state cabinet.

4. Implementation: Once approved, administrative structures and necessary infrastructure are put in place for the new districts.

RATIONALE

1. Enhanced Governance: Smaller districts allow for better management and implementation of government schemes.

2. Increased Accessibility: New districts make administrative offices and services more accessible to residents.

3. Focus on Local Issues: Smaller administrative units can focus more effectively on local issues and development needs.

CRITICISM

1. Political Motives: Critics argue that the creation of new districts is often driven by political motives rather than genuine administrative needs.

2. Cost Implications: Establishing new districts involves significant costs, including the creation of new administrative posts and infrastructure.

3. Lack of Data: There is limited empirical evidence to conclusively prove that new districts lead to better governance and development outcomes.

EXPERT OPINIONS

• Veerappa Moily: Smaller districts help bring administration closer to the grassroots, which is a fundamental rationale for their creation.

• Shailaja Chandra: The creation of new districts is often inevitable in large states to ensure focused attention and governance.

IMPACT ON GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT

The effectiveness of creating new districts remains debated. Experts argue that reducing district size alone is insufficient without parallel efforts in capacity building, funding, and strengthening local administrative structures.

CONCLUSION

The trend of creating new districts in India reflects a mix of administrative necessity and political strategy. While the long-term impact on governance and development requires further study, the immediate benefits of bringing administration closer to the people are evident.

SRIRAM’s