Himachal News: Reorganization of districts and other administrative units is being considered in Himachal Pradesh after nearly 50 years. The government of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has constituted a commission for this work. The commission will examine whether new districts, sub-divisions, tehsils and development blocks need to be created in the state or changes should be made to the existing administrative units. The commission has been given six months to submit its report.
However, a political dispute has started between Congress and BJP regarding this decision. BJP has raised questions on the timing of constituting the commission, about a year before the assembly elections. At the same time, Chief Minister Sukhu says that the decision to create new districts or change the administrative boundaries will be taken only on the basis of the report of the commission. At present the government has not made the final announcement on creating new districts.
Reorganization Commission formed for the first time after 1972
The last major district reorganization in Himachal Pradesh took place on 1 September 1972. At that time Kangra, Hamirpur and Una districts were created by dividing the old Kangra district. After this the number of districts in the state increased from nine to 12.
Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu had started the process of constituting the commission on May 22. After this, the official notification for the formation of the commission was issued on 14 October 2026.
The commission will be headed by retired judge of Himachal Pradesh High Court, Dharam Chand Chaudhary. The commission also includes advocate Vishal Panwar and retired Indian Forest Service officer Rajesh Sharma. The Director of the Land Records Department has been made the Member-Secretary of the Commission.
The commission will study the existing administrative system and give its recommendations. After this the government will decide which areas need changes.
Demand to make Dehra, Palampur and Noorpur districts
There has been a demand for making some areas separate districts in Himachal Pradesh for a long time. This demand has been especially discussed in Kangra district. Kangra is the most populous district of the state and also has the highest number of assembly constituencies.
Dehra, Palampur and Noorpur are counted among the main contenders for creating a new district. Apart from this, demand has also been raised for giving district status to some remote areas including Rampur in Shimla district.
Dehra was given the status of police district in August 2024, but it has not yet become a revenue district. Now the Commission can study these demands and the administrative needs of the concerned areas.
People living in hilly and remote areas of the state may take a long time to reach government offices. Dodra Kwar is about 198 km from Shimla, while Multhan is said to be about 110 km from Dharamshala. There are also connectivity and transportation challenges in areas like Pangi and Bara Bhangal. In such a situation, restructuring of administrative units can be considered to make people's access to government services easier.
BJP raised questions on forming commission before elections
BJP has raised questions on the timing of formation of the commission and alleged that the Congress government has not been able to fulfill its election promises and is trying to divert people's attention from other problems through this issue.
Opposition leader and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur also accused the government of not fulfilling election promises. Senior BJP MLA and former minister Satpal Singh Satti asked that if the government was serious about creating new districts, then why was the commission not formed earlier.
The BJP has also said that creating new districts will require adequate funds, government buildings, police stations, offices of various departments, roads and employees. Considering the economic condition of the state, it may be challenging to bear this much expense.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Sukhu has rejected the criticism and said that further decisions will depend on the report of the commission. The government's stand is that the purpose of the change in the administrative system is to bring government services closer to the people.
Expenses in creating new districts are also a big challenge
To create a new district, merely changing the administrative boundary is not sufficient. For this, district headquarters, government offices, police system, departmental staff and other basic facilities have to be developed. This may increase the state's expenditure.
Even during the previous governments of Himachal Pradesh, the demands for creation of new districts were discussed. Former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal had put forward this idea in 2002 and 2011, while such demands were considered during the tenure of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh also. However, these proposals could not be implemented due to financial and administrative challenges.
For this reason the role of the present commission is being considered important. He has to examine aspects like population, geographical location, access to government offices and administrative efficiency.
Challenge before the commission to submit report in six months
Notification for the formation of the commission has been issued, but the process of providing necessary facilities for its functioning has not been completed yet. According to available information, the Commission is awaiting arrangements like office, staff and vehicles.
In such a situation, preparing the report within six months can be a challenge for the Commission. He will also have to study the situation of sub-divisions, tehsils, sub-tehsils and development blocks along with the existing districts.
Only after the recommendations of the Commission come, it will be clear whether new districts will be created in Himachal Pradesh or any other changes will be made in the existing administrative boundaries. At present this process is in the consideration and review stage.