Himanta Biswa Sarma

In a pioneering move to bring governance closer to the people, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced the launch of “Co-Districts” — a first-of-its-kind initiative in India aimed at decentralising district administration. The announcement was made on Thursday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), with Sarma emphasizing the state’s commitment to efficient service delivery through this innovative approach. “Taking Governance one step closer to people! Tomorrow, we begin launching ‘Co-Districts’. This unique initiative, first in the country, will decentralise district administration. Co-Districts will ensure implementation of our vision of Minimum Government, Maximum Governance,” Sarma posted. The first phase of the rollout will cover 39 co-districts and is set to be completed over two days, October 3 and 4. The initiative aims to create smaller administrative units within existing districts, ensuring timely access to essential government services at the grassroots level. Key services offered at the co-district level will include the issuance of vital documents such as Next of Kin certificates, caste certificates, Non-Creamy Layer certificates, and Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs). Additionally, co-district offices will hold magisterial powers, allowing them to grant permissions for public events, fairs, and functions without residents needing to travel to district headquarters. “This unique initiative, first in the country, will decentralise district administration,” Sarma reiterated, marking this move as a significant step toward improving local governance and empowering citizens. Source: eastmojo