Bihar Government Rules Out Creation of New Districts Ahead of Elections

Patna: The Bihar government has ruled out the possibility of creating new districts, divisions, or subdivisions in the state ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary informed the Legislative Council on Thursday that there are no current proposals to reorganise administrative units in Bihar. His statement came in response to separate non-official resolutions raised by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) members Kumar Nagendra and Urmila Thakur.

Speculation had been rife that the Nitish Kumar-led government might announce the creation of Valmiki Nagar as a new district by carving it out from West Champaran before the elections. However, the minister’s clarification puts an end to such discussions.

No New Districts Since 2001

Bihar currently has 38 districts and nine divisions, with the last administrative reorganisation taking place in 2001, when Arwal was separated from Jehanabad to form a new district. Residents of Bagaha have long been demanding district status, and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had hinted at the possibility during his recent Pragati Yatra. However, the latest statement from the government has come as a disappointment for those advocating for the change.