In a move that has ignited a fierce political controversy, the Rajasthan government has overnight redrawn the administrative boundaries of Barmer and Balotra districts. This sudden decision has triggered significant administrative shifts and a heated debate over its timing and intent.
The Midnight Notification and Boundary Shifts
A notification from the state's revenue department, dated December 31, became public on the night of January 2. It mandated a major reorganization of sub-divisions in the region bordering Pakistan. The key changes involve transferring the Baytoo sub-division from Balotra back to Barmer. Conversely, Barmer's Gudamalani and Dhorimana sub-divisions have been reassigned to Balotra district.
Following this reshuffle, the administrative map now looks different. Balotra district will comprise five sub-divisions: Balotra, Sindhari, Siwana, Dhorimana, and Gudamalani. It will have nine tehsils and five sub-tehsils. Barmer district will now include seven sub-divisions: Barmer, Gadra Road, Chohtan, Ramsar, Baytoo, Sedwa, and Sheo, along with eleven tehsils and seven sub-tehsils.
Controversial Timing and Political Reactions
The move has drawn intense scrutiny because it was executed just as a nationwide freeze on administrative boundaries came into effect on January 1 due to the Census process. This freeze is set to continue until May 2027. Critics allege the government acted just before the deadline to make the order harder to reverse and to shield it under census-related rules. They also link the reorganization to future delimitation and electoral calculations.
The notification went viral, prompting immediate and divided political reactions. BJP workers celebrated the decision, while Congress members staged protests, calling it anti-people and politically motivated. The boundary shift is expected to affect approximately 2.5 lakh voters across the impacted tehsils, potentially reshaping local political equations.
Ground-Level Impact and Assembly Constituencies
The changes have created complex scenarios in specific assembly constituencies. In the Baytoo constituency, the Baytoo tehsil has moved to Barmer district, while Patodi and Gida tehsils remain in Balotra. In the Gudamalani constituency, Gudamalani and Dhorimana tehsils have shifted to Balotra, with Nokhda tehsil staying in Barmer.
Congress MLA from Baytoo, Harish Chaudhary, accused the government of breaking tehsils for political gain. He expressed his defiance in a poetic post on social media platform X. Barmer MP Ummeda Ram Beniwal termed the decision a "Tughlaq-like decree." Former minister Hemaram Chaudhary questioned the practicality, stating the changes do not align with ground realities or public convenience and mentioned a peaceful protest underway in Dhorimana.
Government's Stance and Background
The current BJP-led government stated that the changes follow fresh recommendations from the Panwar committee. This high-level panel was established to review the 17 new districts and three new divisions created by the previous Congress-led administration. Balotra itself was carved out of Barmer as a separate district on August 7, 2023. A revenue department official has denied any political pressure behind the latest decision.
As the debate rages, the overnight redrawing of district lines in western Rajasthan stands as a contentious issue, blending administrative realignment with high-stakes politics, the effects of which will unfold in the coming months and years.
