A Bill which seeks to merge two Union Territories Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli into one was passed by Lok Sabha on Wednesday, 27 November.
The Bill was passed by voice vote with the government asserting that the merger will fast-track development of the two union territories.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy had introduced the Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories), Bill 2019.
Interjecting on the issue, Home Minister Amit Shah assured that reservation provided to people in the two union territories will continue.
Reddy explained that the number of Lok Sabha seats will also remain unaltered and the jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court will continue over the two territories.
‘Merger Will Help in Strengthening Administration’
Members who participated in the discussion demanded that the merged UT should have an assembly on the lines of Puducherry.
Officers handling the services have to sit for few days in one UT and for few in other UT.
“Merging of both the UTs will help in strengthening the administrative services. It will also give proper services. It will also lead to the proper developed of these UTS,” Reddy said.
The government’s move is a step towards better management in terms of administration in the two regions, according to IANS.
This comes three months after the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
The Central on 5 August had announced the division of Jammu and Kashmir and also the abrogation of the special status given to the erstwhile state.
As Dadra & Nagar Haveli has just one district, and Daman and Diu has two, the Centre has to spend over separate secretariats and other infrastructure for the two UTs.
Separate budgets are also passed to take care of these regions.
After the creation of the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, India has nine Union Territories. With the merger of Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the number of UTs will reduce to eight.
(With inputs from PTI, IANS)
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