Gehlot Defends Creation of New Districts in Rajasthan Amid BJP Review
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday defended his administration’s decision to create new districts, emphasizing that the move was aimed at enhancing administrative capacity and improving service delivery.
Gehlot’s comments came in response to the newly elected BJP government’s decision to review the formation of these districts by establishing a Cabinet sub-committee.
In a post on X, Gehlot expressed concerns about the intentions behind the review. “It has to be seen whether this committee will take a decision by looking at the geographical conditions and development interests of Rajasthan or it will work with the intention of proving the decision of the previous government wrong for political reasons and will put the interests of the people of Rajasthan at stake,” Gehlot stated in Hindi.
Gehlot highlighted that the creation of new districts was based on a comprehensive report by a committee led by retired IAS officer Ramlubhaya. He underscored the necessity of the new districts, citing comparisons with other states. “Madhya Pradesh, which is smaller in area than Rajasthan, has 55 districts. A small state like Chhattisgarh has 33 districts,” Gehlot pointed out.
“Our government created new districts to increase administrative capacity and improve service delivery and posted collectors, police superintendents, and other district-level officers there,” he added.
Under the Gehlot-led Congress administration, Rajasthan saw the creation of 20 new districts, raising the total number from 33 to 53.