Rajasthan Government Dissolves 9 Newly Created Districts

The Rajasthan government, led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, has decided to dissolve nine districts formed during Ashok Gehlot's tenure. The districts dissolved include Anupgarh, Dudu, Gangapur City, and others. The decision follows claims that these districts were not practical and added unnecessary bureaucratic burden without offering significant public benefit.

The Rajasthan government, led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, has decided to dissolve nine districts formed during Ashok Gehlot's tenure: The rural blocks of Anupgarh, Dudu, Gangapur City, Jaipur Rural, Jodhpur Rural, Kekri, Neem Ka Thana Sanchore and Shahpura.

Reason for Dissolution

The BJP government continues to argue that these districts were neither ‘feasible’ nor in the ‘public interest’.

The state cabinet said that the districts posed unnecessary bureaucratic encumbrances with little practical utility as well as economic viability.

1. Dissolution of New Divisions:

   • At the same time three new divisions were abolished which were Division included at Banswara, Pali and Sikar.

2. Expert Committee Report:

   • The dissolution was proposed in line with a cabinet sub-committee and an expert committee that had submitted that these districts were impractical as well as of little public use.

3. Retention of Some Districts:

   • While nine districts were, therefore, dissolved, eight districts including Balotra, Beawar, Deeg, Didwana-Kuchaman, Kotputli-Behror, Khairthal-Tijara, Phalodi as well as Salumbhar were retained on practical considerations.

4. Public Response and Political Protests:

   • Congress has condemned the decision blaming politics and wants to discuss it in the assembly and even in court if needed.

Rajasthan New Districts: Formation and Controversies

Formation of New Districts:

In the period of Ashok Gehlot as chief minister of Rajasthan, the total divisions of the district made 17 new districts and 3 new divisions. These were established to increase efficiency in administration, foster development within districts, and to consider increasing population, and geographical complexities. However, some districts have been likened to ‘failing schools’ which were created hastily with little research or even funding.

Controversies and Dissolution:

In the present BJP regime of the state led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, nine new formed districts have been abolished including Anupgarh, Dudu, Gangapur, Jaipur Rural, Jodhpur Rural, Kekri, Neemka Thana, Sanchore and Shahpura. The state government argued for impracticability, or lack of usefulness of these districts which it said placed an unneeded administrative burden on the government but there was no corresponding increase in funds or resources provided to the government.

Key Concerns:

• Practicality and Utility: The BJP government came up with Reasons such as the preparedness of structures, Finance, logistics and administration in these districts.

• Political Criticism: The Congress party accused BJP government of malice and political greed, as well as, trying to undo pro-people administrative measures it had taken for political opportunism.

• Retention of Certain Districts: Nevertheless nine districts were dismissed, eight other districts were preserved after examining them for their feasibility of operations for the administrative divisions.

• Long-term Impact: While this has been the case, it has given rise to air the acting of district formation and reorganization of political district regions.

Therefore, the establishment and the delinking of newly formed districts continue to raise issues of efficiency in governance and political as well as administrative characteristics in Rajasthan.

About Rajasthan

• Capital: Jaipur

• Area: Rajasthan being the largest Indian state occupies an area of 342,239 square kilometers.

• Boundaries: This state of India is surrounded by Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and the international border of Pakistan.

• Rivers: Major rivers are Chambal, Luni, Banas, Mahi etc.

Economy:

• Main Industries: Golmud mainly depends on mining, animal husbandary, tourism, colorful cloth weaving, carpet making industries.

• Agriculture: Some of the important crop produced here are wheat, barley, mustard and bajra. In case of edible oils, Rajasthan stands second in the production of oilseeds and first in guar gum besides being a major producer of pulses.

• Mining: It has deposits of marble gypsum feldspar and limestone etc in Rajasthan.

Demographics:

• Population: According to information from 2011 Census, the population of Rajasthan is about 68.5 million.

• Cultural Diversity: Rajasthan is one of the states in India with rich social diversity with Rajputs, Jats, and other castes, SCs and STs.

Wildlife and Forests:

• National Parks: The most well-known parks include Sariska, Ranthambore, Keoladeo Ghana, Desert National Park and Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Ranthambore National Park: Well known for its tiger reserve or Bengal tigers.

• Desert Ecosystem: The Thar desert provides conspicuous geographical and ecological characteristics of the state of Rajasthan.

History and Culture:

• Historical Significance: The place shares a great historical background of successful Rajputana rulers such as Maharana Prtap, Rani Padmini, and Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh.

• Cultural Heritage: Forts, palaces, and the thar desert are popular attractions as well as folk dances like the Kalbelia, Ghoomar, puppet shows and drama.

Governance:

• Divisions and Districts: Rajasthan is divided in to 7 administrative divisions and 41 district.

• Recent Developments: Of late the state has been under a process of some administrative reorganization owing to the scrapping of certain newly created districts by the previous government.

Key Events:

• Fairs and Festivals: Fairs and festivals include Pushkar Camel Fair, Desert Festival besides numerous folk fairs and festivals.

• Economic Initiatives: Still, work continues in the development of tourism and eco-agriculture in the area.

Conclusion

The dissolution of nine newly created districts in Rajasthan by the BJP government reflects the ongoing debate over administrative efficiency and political considerations. While the government argues that these districts were impractical and unfeasible, the decision has sparked political protests, particularly from the Congress party. The controversy underscores the challenges in balancing development goals with practical governance, and the decision will likely continue to impact the state's administrative structure and political landscape in the coming years.