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Shillong, April 9: The groundwork for the formation of four more districts in Meghalaya has begun and the entire process will be completed within a few months, chief secretary W.M.S, Pariat told reporters here today.
Chief minister Mukul Sangma had recently announced that four more districts would be carved out of the existing seven — Khliehriat in Jaintia Hills, Resubelpara in East Garo Hills, Ampati in West Garo Hills and Mawkyrwat in West Khasi Hills.
Pariat said Rs 10 crore had been kept aside for the formation of each district and the government would initially establish only the key departments.
In the first phase, the offices of deputy commissioners and superintendents of police would be set up in all the four districts. “We will also set up the core departments, including community and rural development, agriculture and horticulture,” Pariat said.
The government is planning to appoint the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police from the state pool. This means there will be promotion of senior officers in the state to these posts and as heads of departments in the new districts.
The chief secretary said in due course of time, the government would be able to get funds from the Centre, which would help meet the additional expenditure in all the four districts.
The last formation of districts — Ri Bhoi and South Garo Hills — was 20 years ago. With the addition of these four districts, the number of districts in the state will go up to 11.
Though the government believes the new districts would bring the administration closer to the people, critics feel the government should have instead improved facilities in the existing districts.
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