Formation of 19 new districts approved in Rajasthan

The Rajasthan government has approved a decision taken earlier for the formation of 19 new districts and three new divisions, taking the total number of districts in the country’s largest State to 50.

About the step:

• The State Cabinet approved the proposal of the high-level Ram Lubhaya Committee for the creation of new districts and divisions.
• The tenure of the high-level committee had been extended for a period of six months to give people time to send in suggestions.
• The creation of new districts, which was a step towards decentralization of power, would improve governance and bring relief to common people, farmers, landholders and beneficiaries of the government’s schemes, who had to travel long distances to district headquarters.

What is the Procedure to form a new District?

• The power to create new districts or alter or abolish existing districts rests with the State government.
• This can either be done through an executive order or by passing a law in the State Assembly.
• The Centre has no role to play in the alteration of districts or the creation of new ones. States are free to decide on this matter.
• Name change: If the state government wants to change the name of a district or a railway station, then the Home Ministry comes into the picture and must follow the following procedure;
  • The State government will propose a new name to a district and forward the proposal to the Home ministry.
  • The Home Ministry will forward the proposal to other departments.
  • After that, the departments such as the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Intelligence Bureau, Department of Posts, Geographical Survey of India Sciences, and the Railway Ministry, provide their clearance to the proposal of the state government.
  • After examination of their replies, the state government receives a no-objection certificate. Then the name of the district changes.