Creation of five new districts in Ladakh

Source- This post on Creation of five new districts in Ladakh has been created based on the article “Amit Shah announces five new districts for Ladakh” published in “The Hindu” on 27th August 2024.

Why in News?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the creation of five new districts in Ladakh: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang. The aim is to enhance governance and ensure services reach every part of Ladakh. Ladakh currently has two districts, Leh and Kargil, both having autonomous hill development councils.

Significance of creating new districts

1. Ladakh is now one of the least populated and most geographically challenging union territories in India, and it faces administrative difficulties in reaching remote areas.

2.  The new districts are intended to make it easier for public welfare schemes to reach residents and promote all-round development in Ladakh.

Procedure for creation of new districts in India

1. The power to create new districts or alter or abolish existing districts rests with the State governments. This can either be done through an executive order or by passing a law in the State Assembly.

2. The many States prefer the executive route by simply issuing a notification in the official gazette.

3. Role of Center in the creation of Districts:

i) The Centre has no role to play in the alteration of districts or creation of new ones. States are free to decide on this matter.

ii) If the state government wants to change the name of a district or a railway station, then the Home Ministry comes into the picture.

iii) The State government will propose a new name to a district and forward the proposal to the home ministry. The Home Ministry will forward the proposal to other departments.

iv) After that, the departments such as the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Intelligence Bureau, Department of Posts, Geographical Survey of India Sciences, and the Railway Ministry, provide their clearance to the proposal of the state government.

v) After examination of their replies, the state government receives a no-objection certificate. Then the name of the district stand changed.

Read more: Creation of New Districts in India

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