From 50 to 41, how districts in Rajasthan are about to shrink

On Dec 28, the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led state cabinet decided to scrap 9 of 17 districts carved out by the Ashok Gehlot govt before it was voted out of power in Dec 2023. The decision, pending for several months, has finally brought muchneeded clarity on the fate of the newly carved administrative regions. TOI explains what happens next.
The decisionNine districts announced by the former govt to be scrapped and merged back into their original administrative divisions. Eight districts from the lost of 17, however, have been retained.

Which districts have been retained?
Balotra, Beawar, Deedwana Khuchman, Kotputli-Behror, Deeg, Khairtal-Tijara, Salumber, and Phalodi.

Which districts are to be scrapped?Jaipur Rural, Jodhpur Rural, Sanchore, Shahpura, Dudu, Kekri, Neem Ka Thana, Anoopgarh, and Gangapur City.

What Happens Now?
Following the cabinet sanction, a public notification will be issued in the state govt gazette, notifying eight new districts and annulling the old notification of Aug 2023, in which the 17 new districts were notified. Budgets will be allocated for new administrative offices and infrastructure in the retained eight districts. Since the BJP govt has de cided to retain the grographical boundaries demarcated by the former Congress govt, an on ground survey for the districts that have been retained will not be necessary.

Infrastructure Development
Offices of District Collector, Superintendent of Police, and other departments will be established (if not in place already) in district that have been retained and civil servants will be deployed as needed. Land and facilities for govt offices, schools, and hospitals will be allocated.

Revised Plans
While govt will issue new plans, it is expected that many previously announced facilities in 2023 in retained districts, such as administrative buildings and appointments, may remain unchanged in the fresh announcements.

Boundary Freeze Compliance
The Registrar General of India will enforce a freeze on administrative boundaries before the Census operations kickstart, likely next year. A new official map of Rajasthan with 41 districts will be introduced after the notification.

Transition Management
Final adjustments to tehsil and village boundaries will be handled by the Revenue Department. Public awareness campaigns will educate residents about the changes.

Duration

The entire process of old districts being merged into their original administrative borders is expected to take about one month.