Assam to add 10 more co-districts, taking total to 49 in grassroots governance push

Assam is set to carve out 10 new “co-districts” from existing districts this week, raising the total number of such administrative units in the state to 49, the Chief Minister’s Office announced.

The newly created co-districts are Boko–Chhaygaon and Palashbari (Kamrup), Borsola and Rangapara (Sonitpur), Mariani and Teok (Jorhat), Makum and Digboi (Tinsukia), Dholai (Cachar), and Dudhnoi (Goalpara). Eight of them will be inaugurated on Tuesday, followed by the remaining two on Wednesday.

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“With the inauguration of 10 more co-districts in the 2nd phase, Assam government takes another step towards enhancing governance at the grassroots,” the CMO posted on X.

The move is aimed at bringing essential services closer to citizens, reducing the travel time to administrative headquarters, improving delivery of welfare schemes, and strengthening local disaster management capabilities.

Co-districts will handle land revenue, development projects, food and civil supplies, panchayat and rural development, magisterial functions, and other key administrative matters.

This is the second phase of the state’s administrative reorganisation drive. The first phase saw 39 co-districts inaugurated on October 4 and 5, 2024.

Officials say the expansion will especially benefit people living in remote riverine areas, tea garden belts, and border regions, where access to district headquarters can be difficult due to poor connectivity and seasonal disruptions.

The concept of co-districts is unique to Assam’s governance model. Unlike full-fledged districts, they operate under the parent district’s jurisdiction but have independent offices for revenue, development, and administrative work, easing pressure on the main district headquarters while expediting service delivery.