GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Jalukbari Co-District headquarters on Saturday, October 5. This occasion marks the beginning of a broader state-wide initiative to streamline public services by establishing 39 Co-Districts in the first phase.
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Speaking at the event, Sarma described October 4 and 5 as historic days in Assam’s administrative development. He highlighted how the launch of 39 Co-Districts would bring key government services directly to the doorsteps of the people.
"During my tenure as MLA, I noticed many residents had to travel long distances to access basic services at the district headquarters. This often led to the demand for new districts, but without the necessary administrative infrastructure," he said.
Sarma went on to state that the establishment of Co-Districts would address this issue by decentralising governance and removing the challenges of distance. He also linked this initiative to Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of decentralising power.
The creation of these smaller administrative units below the district level is aimed at providing citizens with quicker access to essential government services and reducing the burden of long-distance travel to district headquarters. The new Co-Districts are designed to enhance efficiency by bringing governance closer to the grassroots level.
Following Assam’s recent delimitation exercise, the chief minister explained the need for equal and effective administrative infrastructure across all 126 legislative assembly constituencies. He pointed out that tasks such as obtaining Next of Kin certificates, caste certificates, and land-related services often take up valuable time for both citizens and district commissioners. The new Co-Districts, based on assembly constituencies, will streamline these services, freeing up time for district officials to focus on developmental work.
The Co-Districts will handle key services such as land revenue, disaster management, food and civil supplies, excise, and welfare initiatives, significantly improving governance and service delivery in targeted areas.
