Bahuguna announces commission for restructuring of new distt

Dehra Dun, May 9 (PTI) In a move that may put the previous BJP government's decision of creating four new districts in Uttarakhand on the back burner, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna today announced setting up of a commission for restructuring the districts. At a public meeting at Gopeshwar in Chamoli district, he said his government would shortly set up a commission which would study the conditions of the state and give its recommendations regarding restructuring of the districts. Former chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had announced on the occasion of Independence Day last year that four new districts of Kotdwar (a part of Pauri district), Yamunotri (Uttarkashi), Ranikhet (Almora) and Didihaat (Pithoragarh) would be formed as per people's aspirations. After taking over as chief minister in Sept last year, B C Khanduri also said since his predecessor Nishank had already made an official announcement, he would make sure that these new districts are formed as early as possible. A Government Order (GO) was also issued for the creation of the new districts on December 7 last year ahead of the model code of conduct came to force for the February assembly elections. The GO, however, had not mentioned the borders of the districts and their headquarters. Official sources had said the borders of the districts and place for their headquarters would be decided after the assembly elections.