Daily Current Affairs : 5-October-2024

Assam has introduced a revolutionary administrative structure called Co-Districts to improve governance and make public offerings more reachable to its citizens. This new system aims to decentralize the state’s administration, bringing government services closer to the people. The first phase of this initiative will be launched on October 4 and 5, 2024, when 39 Co-Districts will officially begin operations.

What Are Co-Districts?

Co-Districts are smaller administrative units within Assam’s district framework. They are designed to decentralize the delivery of government services, ensuring that people in rural or remote areas can access these services more easily and efficiently.

Key Features of Co-Districts:

  • Smaller Administrative Units: Co-Districts cover smaller geographical areas compared to regular districts, making them more manageable.
  • Improved Service Access: Co-Districts aim to bring administrative services closer to residents, reducing travel time and making it easier for people to access essential services.
  • Responsibilities: Co-Districts handle various administrative functions, including:
    • Issuing ration cards and caste certificates
    • Managing land revenue issues
    • Overseeing excise, development, and welfare activities
    • Dealing with disaster management
    • Exercising magisterial powers, meaning they can also handle law and order responsibilities.

Differences Between Districts and Co-Districts

While both districts and Co-Districts serve as administrative units, there are key differences between the two:

  • Leadership: Co-Districts are led by an Assistant District Commissioner, while regular districts are headed by a Deputy Commissioner.
  • Geographical Area: Co-Districts cover smaller areas compared to larger districts.
  • Autonomy: Districts have more autonomy and control over multiple departments, while Co-Districts function as extensions of district administration, helping to ease the workload of district offices.

Phase 1 of the Co-Districts Rollout

The first phase of the Co-Districts initiative will involve the creation of 21 Co-Districts in Assam. By the end of 2024, 18 more Co-Districts are expected to be launched. The ultimate goal is to establish Co-Districts in all 126 assembly constituencies of Assam, ensuring that every region has better access to government services.

Important Points:

  • Assam introduces Co-Districts to decentralize governance and improve service accessibility.
  • The first phase will launch 39 Co-Districts on October 4 and 5, 2024.
  • Co-Districts are smaller administrative units under Assam’s district framework, designed to make government services more accessible to people, especially in rural and remote areas.
Key Features of Co-Districts:
  • Smaller geographical areas compared to regular districts.
  • Aimed at reducing travel time and making essential services more accessible.
  • Handle a range of administrative tasks like:
    • Issuing ration cards and caste certificates.
    • Managing land revenue issues.
    • Overseeing excise, development, and welfare activities.
    • Disaster management and exercising magisterial powers.
Differences Between Districts and Co-Districts:
  • Leadership: Co-Districts are led by an Assistant District Commissioner, while regular districts are headed by a Deputy Commissioner.
  • Size: Co-Districts cover smaller geographical areas than districts.
  • Autonomy: Districts have more control over departments, while Co-Districts act as extensions of district administration, helping reduce the workload on district offices.
Phase 1 of the Co-Districts Initiative:
  • The first phase will create 21 Co-Districts in Assam by 2024.
  • The ultimate goal is to establish Co-Districts in all 126 assembly constituencies of Assam.

Why In News

Assam has become the first state in India to implement a new administrative structure known as Co-Districts, aimed at improving governance and making public services more accessible to its citizens. This innovative system is designed to decentralize administrative functions and bring government services closer to the people. The inaugural phase will take place on October 4 and 5, 2024, when 39 Co-Districts will be officially launched, marking a significant step toward more efficient and localized governance in the state.

MCQs about Assam’s New Co-Districts: A Step Towards Better Governance

  1. What is the primary objective of introducing Co-Districts in Assam?
    A. To increase the number of districts in the state
    B. To decentralize governance and make public services more accessible
    C. To improve law and order across the state
    D. To centralize administrative functions in larger cities
    Correct Answer: B. To decentralize governance and make public services more accessible
    Explanation: The main aim of the Co-Districts initiative is to decentralize governance, making public services more accessible, especially to people in rural and remote areas.
  2. When will the inaugural phase of the Co-Districts initiative take place?
    A. October 1, 2024
    B. October 4 and 5, 2024
    C. January 1, 2025
    D. December 25, 2024
    Correct Answer: B. October 4 and 5, 2024
    Explanation: The first phase of the Co-Districts initiative will be launched on October 4 and 5, 2024, when 39 Co-Districts will officially begin operations.
  3. What is the key difference between Co-Districts and regular districts in Assam?
    A. Co-Districts are smaller in size and led by an Assistant District Commissioner
    B. Co-Districts cover larger geographical areas than districts
    C. Co-Districts have more control over multiple departments than districts
    D. Co-Districts only handle welfare activities
    Correct Answer: A. Co-Districts are smaller in size and led by an Assistant District Commissioner
    Explanation: Co-Districts are smaller in geographical size compared to regular districts and are led by an Assistant District Commissioner, while regular districts are headed by a Deputy Commissioner.
  4. What is the ultimate goal of the Co-Districts initiative in Assam?
    A. To create new administrative positions
    B. To cover all 126 assembly constituencies of Assam with Co-Districts
    C. To reduce the number of districts in Assam
    D. To centralize government services in urban areas
    Correct Answer: B. To cover all 126 assembly constituencies of Assam with Co-Districts
    Explanation: The goal of the Co-Districts initiative is to establish Co-Districts in all 126 assembly constituencies of Assam, ensuring better access to government services across the state.

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