The Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan announced the creation of 17 new districts in 2023, driven by the need to improve governance, enhance public service delivery, and respond to popular demand. This initiative aims to bring administration closer to the people, particularly in remote areas. However, political motivations and pressure from local leaders significantly influenced this surge in district creation.
The newly established districts encounter considerable logistical and infrastructural challenges. Many are operating from temporary setups such as grain mandis, hostels, and old buildings. Key government services continue to be managed by parent districts, leading to public inconvenience. Issues like staff shortages, untrained personnel, and inadequate office space further hinder the effective functioning of district authorities.
Despite the intention to improve public services, many new districts are struggling to deliver essential services. For instance, in Khairthal-Tijara, crucial services like land records and driver’s licenses are still managed by Alwar, the parent district. Currently, only 17 out of 52 government departments are fully operational, and they face severe resource shortages. Critical services such as police, healthcare, and revenue management are insufficiently addressed.
The creation of these districts has ignited political controversy, primarily between the BJP and Congress. The BJP criticizes Congress for creating districts without adequate planning, while Congress defends the initiative as a necessary step towards enhancing governance. This issue has become a political battleground, with accusations of vote bank politics influencing the rapid creation of multiple districts.
The Panwar Committee, led by retired IAS officer Lalit K Panwar, was assigned to review the viability of the newly established districts based on parameters such as jurisdiction, administrative feasibility, and infrastructure. The committee's report suggested reverting some districts to their original status due to concerns about their viability. However, no actions have been taken on the report, contributing to ongoing administrative uncertainty.
The establishment of the 17 districts and three new divisions incurred an estimated cost of Rs 20,000 crore. The financial burden of setting up basic infrastructure, administrative offices, and staffing remains significant. Questions have been raised about the cost-effectiveness of creating these districts all at once, given that many are under-resourced and struggle to operate independently.
Public sentiment regarding the new districts is mixed. Many residents feel that the districts were created hastily and without proper planning. For instance, residents of Tijara often have to travel to Alwar for essential services, raising doubts about the necessity of the new district. Frustration among the public is compounded by the lack of infrastructure and basic amenities in these areas.
The future of these districts remains uncertain, with the Panwar Committee suggesting that some may need to be reverted. The state government is awaiting approval from the Census Commissioner to adjust boundaries, which could impact the continuation of some districts. Until then, the focus remains on addressing the basic needs of the current administrative setup.
The creation of 17 new districts in Rajasthan, aimed at decentralizing governance, has evolved into a logistical challenge. Issues such as lack of infrastructure, political disagreements, and financial burdens overshadow the intended benefits. The ongoing debate highlights a broader struggle between political motives and practical governance needs, leaving citizens caught in the middle.
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