No proposal yet for new new district or sub-division in Bihar: Minister

Patna: Replying to starred questions by three MLAs in the state assembly on Monday, parliamentary affairs minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said the govt cannot take a decision on the creation of a new district, sub-division or block on its own, and that such a move can be undertaken only through a prescribed procedure based on detailed recommendations from district authorities.“First, a proposal is sent to the state headquarters by the district magistrate and superintendent of police of the district concerned, which also has to be duly endorsed by the divisional commissioner and the regional deputy inspector general,” Choudhary said.“After this, the proposal is examined and an assessment is made by a committee of secretaries of the departments. Finally, the empowered group of ministers makes its recommendation, after which the govt takes the decision,” he said, adding that no such recommendation has been submitted by any district magistrate and superintendent of police, endorsed by the commissioner and the DIG, regarding the creation of a new district, sub-division or block so far.Choudhary was replying to a question raised by Jokihat MLA Mohammad Murshid Alam, who demanded that Jokihat be made a new sub-division in Araria district by including the blocks of Jokihat, Palasi, Sikti and Kursankata. Alam cited logistical and administrative reasons for the demand, pointing out that the district currently has only Araria Sadar and Forbesganj sub-divisions.Among the other MLAs, Paru MLA from Muzaffarpur district Shankar Prasad demanded the creation of a new Saraiya sub-division while Sakra MLA from the same district Aditya Kumar sought sub-division status for Sakra.Separately, Jale MLA from Darbhanga district Jiwesh Kumar demanded renovation of the old buildings of Jale and Singhwara police stations or the construction of new structures, along with housing facilities for police personnel and officials, including barracks for women police personnel posted there. He cited letters issued by the chief minister’s secretariat and the home department, stating that proposals had been pending for a long time despite the availability of land.“I will look into it and an inquiry will also be conducted,” deputy CM-cum-home minister Samrat Choudhary said, adding that the issue related to Rs 6 lakh spent on repairs of the old buildings would also be examined.