Calcutta, Nov. 29 :    Calcutta, Nov. 29:  The bifurcation of Bengal's largest district, Midnapore, remains a mere formality with the move receiving stamps of approval from both Calcutta High Court and the state Cabinet today. The high court's full bench of 38 judges presided over by chief justice A.K. Mathur unanimously approved the state government's decision to bifurcate Midnapore around the same time the state Cabinet ratified the government decision - taken in principle earlier - at Writers' Buildings. Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee informed his colleagues that administrative work for the purpose would start soon. 'The decision has already been taken and the Cabinet has approved it. Besides, we have taken opinion of people from all walks of life, including all political parties. What we have to do now is start administrative work which will take some more time,'' Bhattacharjee said. Sources at Writers' Buildings said the government was planning to make a formal announcement on the issue on December 17, the foundation day of the Tamralipta National Government, a milestone in Indian freedom movement. Earlier, Bhattacharjee had sent an official request to the chief justice of the high court to examine his government's decision to bifurcate the district and give judicial approval. The chief justice, accordingly, convened a full-bench session today and heard the matter in detail before approving the government's proposal to bifurcate the district in the interest of better administration. The government needs judicial approval before changing the present administrative setup of any district as the district judicial system is under the direct authority of Calcutta High Court. There will be two district-level courts in future, instead of one at present. District judges are appointed by the high court. The Congress has given its consent to the bifurcation but the Trinamul Congress is silent on the issue. Trinamul leaders were present at the all-party meeting held in Midnapore but did not make any comment. The government, however, is not in a position to wait for the opinion of the party. Midnapore has a population of over 1.3 crore with an area of around 13,781 sq km. After it is divided, the eastern part of the district will include Tamluk, Haldia and Contai and have an area of 4,476 sq km. West Midnapore will comprise Kharagpur, Jhargram and Ghatal and have an area of 9,304 sq km. The state administrative reforms committee under the chairmanship of former finance minister Ashok Mitra had recommended bifurcation of 24-Parganas, West Dinajpur and Midnapore districts in 1977 to ensure better administrative control. Since then, West Dinajpur and 24 Parganas had been bifurcated. Midnapore was left out mainly due to political reasons.