The Assam Cabinet has approved the operationalisation of 8 new co-districts as part of its “Ease of Governance” initiative, taking the total to 47. The move seeks to improve administrative efficiency, strengthen last-mile service delivery and reduce the need for people in remote areas to travel to district headquarters. 

Key Developments

• The eight new co-districts are Kamalpur, Barhampur, Ranganadi, Sissibargaon, Chabua-Lahowal, Khumtai, Katigorah and Barkhola. 
• The headquarters of each new co-district will be located at a central place identified by the respective DC, in consultation with the Guardian Minister of the district.
• The co-district model functions as a decentralised administrative arrangement within existing districts, allowing selected government functions to be delivered closer to citizens.
• The initiative is particularly relevant for Assam because of its difficult terrain, long distances and connectivity challenges, which can make access to district-level administration difficult for rural and remote communities.

Administrative Significance

• The reform aims to decentralise administration and improve citizen-centric governance.
• Co-district commissioners can exercise delegated administrative functions, including responsibilities connected with Panchayat elections. 
• The model can improve the last-mile delivery of welfare schemes, coordination among departments and responsiveness to local grievances.
• It reflects the broader principle of subsidiarity, under which administrative decisions and services should be located as close to citizens as practical.

Assam Secretariat, Barak Valley

• The Cabinet has also approved renaming the Mini Secretariat, Barak Valley, Silchar as the Assam Secretariat, Barak Valley, Silchar. 
• It will accommodate 32 of the 59 government departments, strengthening administrative presence in the Barak Valley.

Exam Hook: Assam’s co-district model is an example of administrative decentralisation and last-mile governance, designed to bring government services closer to citizens.

Prelims Question: 

Consider the following statements regarding Assam’s co-district model:

1. It aims to decentralise administration and improve access to public services.
2. Co-districts function as administrative units below the district level.
3. The model seeks to reduce the need for residents of remote areas to travel to district headquarters for government services.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: 1, 2 and 3.