Why Sukhu bid to redraw Himachal Pradesh after 50 years sets off a storm

Himachal Pradesh’s Congress-led administration initiated a district reorganisation commission on May 22, 2024, to examine the restructuring of administrative divisions. The four-member panel, led by retired High Court judge Dharam Chand Chaudhary, includes advocate Vishal Panwar and retired Indian Forest Service officer Rajesh Sharma, with the Director of Land Records serving as member-secretary.

With a six-month deadline to submit its report, the BJP has accused the Congress government of utilizing the exercise to distract from its perceived failures in fulfilling electoral pledges made in 2022. Sukhu has defended the move as a "change in the system of governance," aiming to bring administration closer to the people. Last major reorganisation in 1972 divided Kangra district into Kangra, Hamirpur, and Una, and carved out Solan district, increasing the number of districts from nine to 12.

Former BJP CM Prem Kumar Dhumal and ex-Congress CM Virbhadra Singh had proposed reorganisation in the past, but financial concerns stalled the efforts. Current demands for reorganisation are particularly strong in Kangra, the state's most populous district. The panel's recommendations could significantly impact the Sukhu administration's future policies, given the financial challenges and administrative hurdles faced by the state.