Owing to numerous factors it had become necessary to expand administrative structure of the State. Growing population, developing economy, increased economic activity and mobility among people, demand for rapid and definite service of the people at large and the concept of “the smaller the better” all converged on Government deciding to expand the administrative structure of the State and make justice accessible to all. In pursuance of this concept the previous Government had announced creation of new sub-divisions, tehsils, CD blocks, niabats and Patwar Halqas. The aim was that administration should be available at the doorstep of the citizens of the State. Consequently, the Congress-NC Coalition Government took a decision in 2014 of creating 659 new administrative units in the context of expanded administrative structure.
Just taking a decision was not enough. When such large scale expansion in administration was on the table, the then Government should have taken into account two most important aspects of the decision. These were manpower and funding. Incidentally in either case, the then Government remained lukewarm and indecisive with the result that the scheme became just a propaganda stunt and nothing more. People had received the decision with great appreciation. But unfortunately, it remained only a propaganda stunt. What is the position of these units and what is their functionality status is a sordid story, less said the better. Out of a total of 659 new administrative units, 158 in different parts of the State have yet not been made operative.
The case of remaining 501 units is that these have been set-up in temporary accommodation and are faced with manpower crunch. They have other discrepancies as well and all put together the situation in which these are places do not provide them conducive environment for performing their duty as they should. Again, lack of manpower and paucity of funds are at the root of this malaise. Who are the ultimate losers? It is the people of the State and especially those in rural areas who are feeling the brunt of Government’s half hearted decisions and policies.
Essentially there is nothing wrong with the scheme of expansion of administrative structure because it is the need of the times. But the amusing question is how come the then Government did not take into account the budgetary aspect of the scheme. We are told that 559 new units were not included in the previous budget and there are no clear indications that it may find place in the new budget. The mystifying question is how the Government embarked on such a big decision without making financial provision for the same. Two years have passed by when the decision was taken and 158 units remain without having operational capability. How long will this status go nobody knows? Functionaries of the 501 so-called operational units have not even a Government vehicle and officers move about in hired taxis or private vehicles.
The comment that we can make in the light of this situation is that the Government has put the cart before the horse. Without making available the resources, financial and manpower, to the units, how can either the Government or the people at large expect that any good will occur to the state by taking a decision like this? It is primarily the duty of the Revenue, Rural Development and Finance Departments to ensure how the basic requirements of new administrative units can be worked out. The Chief Minister is not happy either on this situation and she has directed the Finance Ministry to device the mechanism of raising funds for this project.
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