The government of Andhra Pradesh has decided to issue a notification in a day or two for the formation of 13 new districts. Now, the total number of districts in the state will be 26. YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had promised that the number of districts will be increased from 13 to 26 for decentralisation, better administration, and taking governance to the doorsteps of the people before the Assembly elections last year.

Earlier, AP CM said that each Lok Sabha Constituency as a unit, and thereby the state should have 25 districts after the formation of new districts. Later, it was decided to make the Araku Lok Sabha constituency into two districts as it is the largest one.

The process of formation of new districts is delayed as the Union home ministry has directed all states not to make any jurisdictional changes from January 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021. This is in view of house listing operation (HLO) being taken up, along with updating of National Population Register (NPR), as part of Census of India-2021. One more reason for the postponement of the formation of new districts is the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Andhra Pradesh Districts Reorganization Act, the Revenue Department will issue a preliminary notification before the formation of new districts. Suggestions will be received for a month and necessary changes will be made to the existing notification. After that, the final notification will be given. The final notification will specify the date when the new districts will be formed. The government is gearing up to complete the process of formation of new districts by Ugadi.

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