Marathwada to get 11 new tehsil offices

Lokmat News NetworkChhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The Maharashtra government is set to establish 11 additional tehsil offices and one additional district collector’s office in Marathwada, aiming to enhance administrative efficiency. The Revenue Department has sought proposals from the divisional administration, and an official announcement is likely on May 1, Maharashtra Day. The Revenue Additional Secretary reviewed these proposals with the Divisional Commissioner on Thursday evening.

These additional offices will be set up in Jalna, Nanded, Latur, and Parbhani, catering to the growing demands of these municipal corporations. Nanded district is also expected to get a new additional district collector’s office, considering its vast geographical expanse and administrative workload.

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Why the Expansion?

With Marathwada’s increasing population, rising number of municipal corporations, delays in service delivery, and potential administrative restructuring, the need for additional tehsil offices has become crucial. Currently, the region has 77 tehsil offices across 76 talukas. The establishment of 11 new additional tehsil offices will increase the number to 88.

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Proposal for urban-rural tehsil split

A key proposal suggests separate tehsil offices for urban areas within five municipal corporations, while the existing rural offices will continue serving their respective tehsils. The cabinet will review the proposal, considering staffing, expenses, and logistical requirements before granting final approval.

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Additional district collector’s office in Nanded

Considering the large population and geographical expanse of Nanded district, a proposal for a new additional district collector’s office has been submitted. Nanded district consists of 16 talukas, and proposals for additional tehsil offices have been submitted for four of them, along with Nanded city.

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Factors considered for approval

Approval for these proposals will be based on constituency structure, geographical distance, population density, revenue documentation, demand for various official certificates, number of villages, talathi offices, circle offices, and sub-divisional offices.

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Proposed locations for additional tehsil offices

District Proposed additional tehsil locations

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Ajanta

Jalna City

Nanded City, Hadgaon (Tamsa), Kinwat (Islampur), Mukhed (Mukramabad)

Parbhani City, Jintur (Bori or Charthana)

Latur City

Beed City, Ashti (Kada)

Foundation for new districts?

There is speculation that this administrative expansion is a step toward the division of the Marathwada Divisional Commissionerate and the creation of new districts. A decade-old committee report by former Divisional Commissioner Umakant Dangat recommended splitting the commissionerate into three zones: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Latur, and Nanded. However, political disagreements stalled the decision.

Currently, Marathwada has eight districts. Past district bifurcations include the formation of Jalna from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 1981 and Hingoli from Parbhani in 1999. Discussions around creating new districts from Latur, Beed, and Nanded resurfaced in 2020. If approved, this move could lay the groundwork for future district restructuring, reshaping the administrative map of Marathwada.