IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

CREATION/ABOLITION OF DISTRICTS IN INDIA

2nd August, 2022 POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

Copyright infringement not intended

 

In News

  • The State cabinet of West Bengal headed by the Chief Minister has approved the creation of 7 new districts in the state.
    • This will increase the number of districts in West Bengal from the existing 23 to 30.

 

Details

  • The Chief Minister stated that;
    • A new Sundarban district will be carved out of the South 24-Parganas district.
    • 2 new districts will be created out of the North 24-Parganas district.
    • A new district in Basirhat.
    • A new district will be carved out of the existing Bankura district.
    • 2 new districts will be created out of the Murshidabad district.

 

Creation of New Districts

  • States keep creating new districts from time to time to make governance easier and to bring the government and the administration closer to the people.
  • Sometimes, the decision to create a new district is influenced by local demands.
  • In April 2022, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister announced 13 new districts to fulfil his election promise.
    • He believes that the decentralisation and smaller administrative units will bring better and more transparent governance and smoother and more effective delivery of welfare.
    • The same reasons would apply to West Bengal too.
  • As per Census 2011 figures, on average 4 million people live in each of 23 districts in West Bengal.
    • This is among the highest in the country.
  • The Power to decide on creating or scrapping districts or changing their boundaries lies with the state governments, who can pass a law in the Assembly or simply issue an order and notify it in the gazette.
    • The Union government does play a role, however, when a change of name of a district or railway station is changed.
    • The request of the state government is sent to several central government departments to get a no-objection certificate.

 

Present Status

  • The number of districts around the country is increasing with time.
    • The 2001 Census recorded 593 districts, which increased to 640 in 2011.
    • Currently, India has more than 775 districts.
  • Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of districts (75) in the country, Madhya Pradesh (52) at 2nd position.
  • Goa has only 2 districts.
  • The Kachchh district of Gujarat is the largest in the area.
  • Mahe district of Puducherry union territory is the smallest district in the area.
  • The largest district by population is Thane (Maharashtra).
  • Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh is the lowest populated district of India.

 

 

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/explained-7-new-districts-west-bengal-districts-created-abolished-8064221/

https://t.me/+hJqMV1O0se03Njk9