Assam dissolves 4 dists ahead of EC ban on admin unit rejig

Guwahati: The Assam government on Saturday merged four districts — Biswanath, Hojai, Bajali and Tamulpur — with the four others that they were carved out from in recent years, a day before the Election Commission’s ban on redrawing administrative units comes into effect.
Announcing the decision with a “very heavy heart”, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the decision was taken at a state cabinet meeting held in New Delhi as the EC has imposed a ban on creating new administrative units in Assam from January 1, 2023 in view of the delimitation exercise in the state.
“For the greater interest of Assam and for strengthening Jati-Mati-Bheti as well as the administrative strength, we have decided to remerge the four districts,” Sarma said, while addressing the media at Assam House in the national capital. He, however, added that this is a “temporary” measure and the government may reconsider the decision after the delimitation process gets completed.
A notification to this effect has been issued. “While Biswanath district will be merged with Sonitpur, Hojai will be merged with Nagaon, Bajali will be merged with Barpeta and Tamulpur will be merged with Baksa,” he said.
Assam had 35 districts until the merger was notified on Saturday.
Sarma said the decision was taken in the interest of the Assamese people, refusing to give more details. “We will be in a phase of uncertainty from tomorrow and decisions have been taken today itself,” Sarma said, adding that his cabinet colleagues will visit the four districts to inform the public about the need for such an unexpected decision.
“I am personally not happy, but the decision was not taken for personal or party gains. Such a harsh decision was unavoidable for the interest of the country, society and administration,” the CM said.