The Goa Cabinet had approved a proposal for the creation of the new district in July this year.

Currently, North Goa district comprises five talukas — Bardez, Tiswadi, Pernem, Bicholim and Sattari. South Goa has seven talukas — Ponda, Mormugao, Salcete, Sanguem, Dharbandora, Quepem and Canacona.

Chief Minister Sawant held a meeting with several legislators, including from Opposition parties, on Tuesday to review the proposal for the creation of a third district. Sawant said the decision was taken in the state Cabinet to set up a third district, and the matter was also discussed in the Legislative Assembly. He said one of the recommendations of the NITI Aayog was to have smaller districts so governance could reach every doorstep and benefit the most number of people.

“We received a proposal to create a new district and boundary-wise, we decided to form a district from Dharbandora, Quepem, Sanguem and Canacona talukas. Today, we called a meeting of all the political parties, and after discussions, we have decided to carve the third district. The headquarters will be located at Quepem,” he said.

In November 2023, the Goa government formed a committee to examine the proposal for the creation of a third district in the state. The seven-member committee, headed by the Chief Secretary, was tasked with assessing the need for a third district in view of increasing population and the need for overall development of the state.

The committee was mandated to ascertain whether the creation of a third district would lead to the development and welfare of the people in general, and of backward talukas in particular. It was also asked to suggest the boundaries of the new district after considering several aspects, including population, economic status, availability of infrastructure and public opinion.

In a post on X, Sawant said the government-notified committee has examined the proposal in detail, covering district boundaries, geography, demography, existing infrastructure, administrative advantages and the estimated costs involved.

“While the initiative will involve an initial administrative and financial outlay, the long-term benefits are significant. These include improved access to central funds and programmes, including opportunities under initiatives such as the Aspirational District Programme. A third district will further strengthen governance by improving administrative reach, ensuring timely delivery of public services, enhancing the last-mile implementation of welfare schemes, and increasing local participation,” he said.

While the name of the third district is expected to be announced on Wednesday, sources said an earlier proposal to carve some areas from Salcete region and name the district “Chandrapur” has been shelved.

Congress’s Yuri Alemao, the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, questioned the “haste” in the process of notifying the new district. Alemao said the report of the government-notified committee, which studied the feasibility of a new district, had not been shared with them. “The report is not in the public domain. Today, the Chief Minister agreed to share the report with us. We are not against the formation of a third district, but without studying the report and discussing the financial implications, the government seems to be rushing with such a big decision, which would have a significant financial constraint on the state. Tomorrow is the last day [to propose changes in boundaries of administrative units] for the Census…so, the government is in a hurry,” Alemao said.

He added, “They are talking of an aspirational district. Is it going to benefit the tribal population or help the administration? Had there been anything lacking in existing districts? They are proceeding without sharing these aspects of the report.”

In its report suggesting formation of a third district carved out of areas falling under the South Goa district, the committee is learnt to have said, “The existing South Goa district, thus altered, may consist of Ponda, Salcete and Mormugao talukas. The boundaries of the existing North Goa district may remain unchanged.”

The committee said that as per the socio-economic indicators of the area of the proposed district, it meets the criteria for selection for the Aspirational Districts Programme. The panel suggested that it is likely that the creation of the district would attract central funds in key sectors such as health, education, agriculture, water, infrastructure and financial inclusion to accelerate development in the area.