Rajasthan got 19 new districts, CM Gehlot inaugurated

Jaipur (IANS). Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday inaugurated 19 new districts and three divisions in Rajasthan. The inauguration ceremonies were held at the new district headquarters and CM Gehlot joined the celebrations through video conference (VC) from Birla Auditorium. Before the inauguration of new districts, CM Gehlot performed puja-archana and havan.

Revenue Minister Ramlal Jat also joined the function through VC.

The government had recently notified the formation of 19 new districts and three new divisions. Among these Jaipur and Jodhpur are old districts, but notification has been issued for them also. After the gazette notification, now there are 50 districts and 10 divisions in the state.

Earlier there were 33 districts and seven divisions. Since Jaipur and Jodhpur districts were already there, actually only 17 new districts have been created.

At the time of announcement of new districts, it was announced to divide Jaipur into Jaipur North and Jaipur South and Jodhpur into Jodhpur North and Jodhpur South. However, after protests, the government took a safer route and created new districts named Jaipur Rural and Jodhpur Rural, retaining Jaipur and Jodhpur districts.

The new districts in the state are Anupgarh, Balotra, Beawar, Kekri, Jaipur Rural, Dudu, Kotputli-Behror, Neem Ka Thana, Khairthal-Tijara, Sanchore, Didwana-Kuchaman, Shahpura, Jodhpur Rural, Phalodi, Salumber, Gangapur City, and Digg.

Political experts say that by creating new districts in the election year, the Gehlot government has tried to change the political story. There are many such districts including Beawar, Kotputli-Behror, Neem Ka Thana, Balotra, Didwana-Kuchaman, Phalodi, where demands were being raised for the last four decades. By fulfilling the popular demand of the people, the Gehlot government is trying to turn the political atmosphere in its favor in the election year.

The opening ceremony of the districts included rituals from all religions. Along with approving the formation of new districts, their headquarters have also been fixed. The headquarters of both Jaipur Rural and Jaipur districts will be at Jaipur. Similarly, the headquarters of both Jodhpur and Jodhpur Rural will remain in Jodhpur.