Jaipur: Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore on Monday held CM Ashok Gehlot responsible for the violent protest in several towns demanding district status. He also termed the budgetary announcement of declaring 19 new districts as a violation of the law that he said states that new districts can be announced in consultation with the residents.
“The violent protest at 12 places makes it clear that local residents were not kept in the loop while making the announcement,” said Rathore, asking the government to look into the protestors’ demands and restore peace in the state. “There were political motivations behind the announcement of the new districts/divisions as the government did not wait for the report of the Ramlubhaya Committee, did not follow any legal process and did not consider the administrative strength,” he added.
Rathore said that under Section 16 of the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956, new districts can be formed by issuing notifications only after taking opinions and suggestions from the public.
“The new districts should have formally come into existence on April 1, 2023, but so far the government has appointed only OSDs instead of district collectors. Unfortunately, the Congress government has neither notified the new districts nor sought the opinion, suggestions or objections from the public. It is a clear case of a violation of rules,” said Rathore.
Accusing the Gehlot government of “creating a mess” in the state, Rathore said, “The incident of police using force on thousands of people demanding Sambhar-Phulera district and 24 people getting injured is a clear example of the extent Congress can go to for political dividends. It is not the only place where these protests are happening. They are going on at Sujangarh, Bhinmal, Suratgarh, Bhiwadi, Ladnun, Deoli and Anupgarh, too,” he said.
Rathore pointed out that the government has made a provision of only Rs 2,000 crore for the 19 new districts and three divisional headquarters. “My question is: with just three months left for the election code of conduct to come in force, will the government be able to complete demarcation of the new districts and make them functional?” asked Rathore.
“The violent protest at 12 places makes it clear that local residents were not kept in the loop while making the announcement,” said Rathore, asking the government to look into the protestors’ demands and restore peace in the state. “There were political motivations behind the announcement of the new districts/divisions as the government did not wait for the report of the Ramlubhaya Committee, did not follow any legal process and did not consider the administrative strength,” he added.
Rathore said that under Section 16 of the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956, new districts can be formed by issuing notifications only after taking opinions and suggestions from the public.
“The new districts should have formally come into existence on April 1, 2023, but so far the government has appointed only OSDs instead of district collectors. Unfortunately, the Congress government has neither notified the new districts nor sought the opinion, suggestions or objections from the public. It is a clear case of a violation of rules,” said Rathore.
Accusing the Gehlot government of “creating a mess” in the state, Rathore said, “The incident of police using force on thousands of people demanding Sambhar-Phulera district and 24 people getting injured is a clear example of the extent Congress can go to for political dividends. It is not the only place where these protests are happening. They are going on at Sujangarh, Bhinmal, Suratgarh, Bhiwadi, Ladnun, Deoli and Anupgarh, too,” he said.
Rathore pointed out that the government has made a provision of only Rs 2,000 crore for the 19 new districts and three divisional headquarters. “My question is: with just three months left for the election code of conduct to come in force, will the government be able to complete demarcation of the new districts and make them functional?” asked Rathore.
