Chennai, Nov 19: The Tamil Nadu cabinet today decided to bifurcate the existing Dharmapuri district to carve out a new district, the 30th in the state. Chaired by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, the cabinet, following persistent demands from the people, decided to bifurcate Dharmapuri due to its large size and create a new district with its headquarters at Krishnagiri, an official release here said.
Jayalalithaa ordered the appointment of a special officer to immediately take up the bifurcation works, the release said.
Soon after assuming office in may 2001, the AIADMK government had announced in the 2001-02 budget proposals, its decision to bifurcate Dharmapuri for administrative reasons.
However, the bifurcation could not be done immediately as the delimitation committee for Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies restrained the state government from changing the boundaries of districts.
Subsequently, the state government wrote to the commission and obtained special permission for the bifurcation, the release said, adding that the bifurcation would help to pave the way for the economic development of the people and ease administration.
Dharmapuri, created in 1965, remained one of the backward districts in the state. Besides being big in size, the district was also prone to drought, the release pointed out.
Bureau Report