The Assam Cabinet on Tuesday approved the operationalisation of eight new co-districts across the state, aiming to enhance administrative efficiency and streamline public service delivery. The cabinet also sanctioned the renaming of the Mini Secretariat, Barak Valley, as the Assam Secretariat, Barak Valley, Silchar, which will now house 32 government departments.

These decisions are part of the state government’s broader agenda to decentralise governance and bring administration closer to the populace, according to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The expansion of the co-district model and the upgraded secretariat in Barak Valley are expected to significantly improve accessibility to government services for citizens in various regions.

What was announced

During a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Lok Sewa Bhawan on Tuesday, the Assam Cabinet formally approved the operationalisation of eight new co-districts. The Chief Minister had previously announced these eight new co-districts on Independence Day, August 15, 2026. The new co-districts are Kamalpur, Barhampur, Ranganadi, Sissibargaon, Chabua-Lahowal, Khumtai, Katigorah, and Barkhola.

Additionally, the cabinet approved the renaming of the Mini Secretariat, Barak Valley, to the Assam Secretariat, Barak Valley, Silchar. This newly designated secretariat will accommodate 32 of the 59 core state government departments, including many major and important ones.

Why it matters

The operationalisation of eight new co-districts will increase the total number of co-districts in Assam to 47, further decentralising administrative functions and reducing the need for residents in remote areas to travel long distances to district headquarters for government services. Chief Minister Sarma emphasised that “Good governance begins when the Government comes closer to the people,” highlighting the co-district model’s role in achieving “Ease of Governance” across Assam.

The renaming and expansion of the Barak Valley Secretariat in Silchar are significant steps towards strengthening regional administration. By housing 32 key government departments, the Assam Secretariat, Barak Valley, Silchar, aims to ensure faster administrative functioning and reduce the region’s dependence on Dispur, the state capital. This move addresses a long-standing demand from the people of Barak Valley for a local secretariat facility.

Background

Assam has been at the forefront of administrative reforms, with the co-district model being a pioneering initiative in India aimed at decentralising governance. The concept of co-districts was introduced to create smaller administrative units below the district level, often aligning with Legislative Assembly Constituencies, to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of essential services.

The first phase of this initiative saw the operationalisation of 39 co-districts across 21 parent districts on October 4 and 5, 2024. Subsequently, 10 additional co-districts were inaugurated in August 2025, bringing the total to 49 at that time. The current approval of eight new co-districts further expands this network, taking the total number of operational co-districts to 47. This figure appears to be a dynamic count based on ongoing operationalisation. Co-districts are headed by a Co-District Commissioner and handle various services including land revenue, certificate issuance, public distribution systems, and disaster management.

The establishment of a secretariat in the Barak Valley region has been a long-standing demand, with the foundation stone for the Mini Secretariat laid by former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on March 3, 2019. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the facility on March 14, 2026, describing it as an extension of the main Assam Secretariat, facilitating digital file movement and reducing the need for residents to travel to Dispur.

Key details

The eight new co-districts approved for operationalisation are:

  • Kamalpur
  • Barhampur
  • Ranganadi
  • Sissibargaon
  • Chabua-Lahowal
  • Khumtai
  • Katigorah
  • Barkhola

The headquarters for these new co-districts will be located at central places, which will be identified by the respective District Commissioners in consultation with the Guardian Minister of the concerned district.

The renamed Assam Secretariat, Barak Valley, Silchar, will now house 32 out of the 59 government departments, offering a wide array of services locally.

What’s next

The Assam government is expected to notify the specific locations and administrative jurisdictions for the eight new co-districts as part of the expansion process. The operationalisation of these new units will further deepen the government’s efforts towards “Ease of Governance” across Assam. The enhanced Assam Secretariat, Barak Valley, Silchar, is anticipated to become fully functional with the designated 32 departments, offering comprehensive administrative support to the region.

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