Promises Delivered! Gujarat Cabinet approves creation of 7 New Districts and 22 New Talukas

Whatever Shri Modi promises, he delivers. Last year, Shri Modi, while touring the state, had promised to create several new administrative units. At a Cabinet meeting chaired by Shri Narendra Modi, the Cabinet approved the creating of 7 new Districts and 22 new Talukas. It may be recalled that earlier Shri Modi had announced 7 new districts and 20 new Talukas but 2 more Talukas have been added to the list. Earlier, a high-level committee headed by the Chief Secretary was formed to decide the geographic scope of the new administrative units.

Shri Modi’s decision to create new Talukas and Districts has received extraordinary response across the state because it promises to make the administration more accessible to the people. At a felicitation program, after the announcement of the Bodeli Taluka held last year, Shri Modi spoke at length about the State Government’s pro-people and proactive agenda. He said that this is not a government that will hoodwink you but it is a government that cares about the wellbeing of the common man.

When people visit far-away administrative offices multiple times, they waste their time and money. Thus, the creation of new Talukas and Districts was done not only for administrative convenience and geographical reasons but also to save people’s resources.

In other speeches, Shri Modi had highlighted the fact that the creation of a new District of Taluka benefits not only the residents of the new District/Taluka but also the residents of the original district or District/Taluka. During a speech in Patan, where he announced the formation of the new Saraswati Taluka, Shri Modi explained, “If, for example, a Taluka has approximately 100 dedicated officers, the creation of a new Taluka would result in the deployment of additional officers who would be able to serve the people of both the talukas in a better manner.”

Giving the example of Sami and Shankheshwar Talukas, the CM had said, “The work that was being done in Sami Taluka will now be replicated in the new Shankheshwar Taluka. This will benefit people from both the Talukas. When the administrative setup comes to a village, the village shines.”

Additionally, newly created districts are expected to be key drivers of the State’s development. For example, it is predicted that the Gir-Somnath district will be an important tourist destination since it is home to not only the iconic Somnath Temple, which draws millions of devotees, but also to the Asiatic Lion.

As per the powers vested on the government under Section-7 of the Mumbai Revenue Act 1987, District Collectors of the Districts and Talukas concerned have been asked to create appropriate facilities after taking into consideration people’s requirements. The government will also undertake efforts to create necessary infrastructure in the new Districts and Talukas.

The creation of new administrative units is a fresh example of Gujarat’s positive and proactive governance model. Moreover, it can be seen as an extension of the Chief Minister’s efforts to promote local self-government institutions. In the past, the Chief Minister has promoted, encouraged and supported the formation of e-gram centres.  Because of the e-gram centres, villages now provide important Government and Business services and have become hubs of activity.

Furthermore, in times when government institutions in India are seen as ineffectual and sluggish, the Government of Gujarat has broken new ground by delivering on its previous promises and in doing so, has reinforced people’s faith in democratic institutions. 

The proposed new administrative units are as follows:

Also Read :

https://www.narendramodi.in/we-are-not-like-those-who-distribute-just-papers-cm-at-felicitation-for-declaring-new-talukas/

https://www.narendramodi.in/cm-felicitated-for-creation-of-bodeli-taluka/

https://www.narendramodi.in/gujarat-to-have-a-new-district-of-gir-somnath-to-start-working-from-january-26-2013/

https://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-17/rajkot/33902078_1_ambaji-aravali-tribal-areas