Punjab Govt :Most likely to make the announcement during the special Assembly session on November 24.
Punjab Govt To commemorate the 350th anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom, the Punjab government intends to designate Anandpur Sahib as the state’s 24th district.
State government sources say that if the decision is implemented, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government will announce it during a special Assembly session held on November 24, which is also Guru Tegh Bahadur’s 350th martyrdom day.
The AAP-led state government will have to pay at least Rs 500 crore to establish offices at the district headquarters and other infrastructure in the proposed Anandpur Sahib district, which will be split off from Ropar district if it is proclaimed. Additionally, the exchequer will have to pay more than Rs 18 crore a month in salaries for officials and staff assigned to the new district headquarters.
AAP minister Harjot Singh Bains represents the township of Anandpur Sahib in the Ropar district, which is also an Assembly segment.
According to Punjab Govt sources, Garhshankar in Hoshiarpur district and an Assembly segment under the Anandpur Sahib parliamentary seat may be added to the Anandpur Sahib district, even though it would be separated from Ropar district.
Ropar, Chamkaur Sahib, and Anandpur Sahib are the three assembly segments in the Ropar district. Since Ropar would be left alone, Chamkaur Sahib cannot be given to Anandpur Sahib. As a result, Garhshankar in the Hoshiarpur district is currently being investigated by the authorities. It is being considered if Garhshankar could be incorporated to Anandpur Sahib, which would be carved out of Ropar. “There is still time for us to consider,” a government official stated.
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Residents of Garhshankar might not enjoy visiting the Anandpur Sahib headquarters because Hoshiarpur is more easily accessible by road. But everything hinges on the government, which must make the decisions,” the officer continued.
However, at a time when Punjab is attempting to lessen the consequences of a recent natural disaster, the officer pointed to an extra cost of more than Rs 500 crore on the state exchequer.
Although the city was created by Guru Tegh Bahadur, Anandpur Sahib is regarded as a significant Sikh city and the birthplace of the Khalsa, which was established by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, a significant moment in Sikh history.
Anandpur Sahib is home to Takht Keshgarh Sahib, one of the five Sikh Takhts. The annual Hola Mohalla festival is held at this important pilgrimage destination, which also serves as a center for Sikh martial arts and spiritual growth.
Capt. Amarinder Singh, the then-chief minister of the Congress, declared on May 14, 2021, that the 23rd district of Malerkotla would be formed, consisting of two parts: Malerkotla and Amargarh.
Considering its modest size, Punjab does not require any additional districts. It has 23 districts already. In addition to making history, the AAP hopes to win over Sikhs by establishing a new district. But according to history, the Congress did not benefit by creating a new Malerkotla district. The AAP defeated the Congress in both the Malerkotla and Amargarh segments of the 2022 Assembly elections. After defeating previous minister Razia Sultana, Mohd Jamil Ur Rehman is now the Malerkotla MLA. Amargarh’s MLA is Prof. Jaswant Singh Gajjan Majra, according to a different government official.