LAST year in the correponding period, August and September 2023, BJP Government created three disticts ; this time again, Dr Mohan Yadav led Government is mulling to create two new districts. Discussions are also underway about setting up an Administrative Unit Reorganisation Commission to facilitate creation of new districts. Sources reveal that this Commission will be formed on the basis of political appointments, consisting of a Chairman and a member. According to information received, the Revenue Department has already submitted a proposal to the Government for formation of this Commission. The move is particularly significant given the existing geographical boundaries of the districts, where tehsil boundaries are often far from the district headquarters, creating logistical challenges for residents wishing to carry out district-related work.

 

The Chief Minister has previously hinted at such changes and formation of new districts during divisional meetings. With this, the State will continue its position of second largest State in the country with maximum number of districts after Uttar Pradesh. Total number of districts in the State will become 57. Earlier, Shivraj Singh Chouhan just before the Assembly elections 2023 and in its last cabinet meeting announced formation of three districts within around 70 days. Two in Vindhya region; Mauganj was seperated from Rewa and Maihar from Satna. Besides these two new districts in Vindhya region, where 24 out of 30 seats were won by the BJP in 2018 polls, a new district. While one; Pandhurna (housing the Pandhurna and Saunsar seats) neighbouring Nagpur (Maharashtra), was created in Chhindwara (political pocket-borough of Kamal Nath). Creation of Pandhurna was seen more as political mileage rather than solution of people’s problem. Proposal for the said district was put by Kamal Nath Governemnt but got final nod during the last few months of Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Government.

 

After its formation, the then CM visited the district and made accusation on Kamal Nath for delaying the process who is MLA from Chhindwara. BJP was eyeing Chhindwara since a long time since it is Congress! Kamal Nath’s bastion. It is said that formation of Bina district will not only bring development in the area, opening of the labour office will also provide facilities to labourers; new sources of employment will be provided to youth and there will be growth in the medical sector. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone of the Petrochemical Hub of Bina Refinery before the elections. Bina is the fastest growing city. It is a centre of economic and industrial activity in the State. Bina Refinery is there, as well as Jaypee Group’s 500;MW Jaypee Bina thermal plant. This region is known for its high-quality wheat, which is exported internationally.

 

Junnardeo, about 50 kms from Chhindwara, is the head office of Kanhan area of WCL. It has Asia’s largest coal wash plant. It has around 15 coal mines in Kanhan area. It has a big railway coal transportation and its own importance in railways. Creation of new districts to fulfill political amibition is not new in neighbouring Rajsthan state too. The then CM Ashok Gehlot had created 20 new districts during his five year tenture. Politics and creation of new districts run parallel instead getting advantage from this decision it would be better if in real sense such actions could make a positive difference in people’s lives.