Overview

• The Rajasthan cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, annulled nine districts and three divisions formed by the previous Congress government, citing lack of proper planning and infrastructure.
• Protests erupted across the state, including in Neem-Ka-Thana, Gangapur City, and Sanchore, with market shutdowns, effigy burnings, and road blockades reported in multiple areas.
• The Congress party and local leaders criticized the decision as politically motivated, announcing plans for statewide demonstrations to demand the restoration of the districts.
• The BJP government justified the move based on recommendations from a review committee, arguing that the districts were created hastily without adhering to administrative and financial norms.
• The decision reduces Rajasthan’s administrative structure to 41 districts and seven divisions, reversing part of the expansion initiated by the previous administration to improve governance in smaller units.