Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on May 14, 2021 declared Malerkotla the 23rd district of the State.
- The State government has been vested with unfettered powers under Section 5 of the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887 to create new districts.
How a district is created?
- The power to create a new district or alter or abolish existing district rests with the State governments.
- Creation of a new district or abolition of an existing district can either be done through an executive order or by passing a law in the State Assembly.
Role of centre in creation of a new district
- The Government of India has no role to play in the alteration of districts or creation of new ones. States are free to decide.
- But when a State wants to change the name of a district or a railway station, it needs to inform the Union Home Ministry .
- The State government’s request is sent to other departments and agencies such as the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Intelligence Bureau, Department of Posts, Geographical Survey of India Sciences and the Railway Ministry seeking clearance.
- A no-objection certificate may be issued after examining their replies.
How many districts are in India?
- According to the 2011 Census, there were 593 districts in the country.
- However, Know India, a website run by the Government of India, says currently there are 718 districts in the country. It means as many as 46 districts were created by States in between.
(Source: The Hindu)
