Supreme Court Blocks Rajasthan Government's Move to Create Villages Named After Individuals

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{ "title": "Supreme Court Blocks Rajasthan Government's Move to Create Villages Named After Individuals", "article": "In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has quashed a 2020 Rajasthan government notification that created four new revenue villages, including two named after individuals. The court ruled that the government's move was in contravention of its own policy, which bars naming villages after individuals. The case dates back to 2020 when the Gram Panchayat of Sohda village proposed the creation of four new revenue villages in Barmer district. The government issued a notification declaring the villages, including Amargarh and Sagatsar, which were named after individuals who had donated land. However, villagers objected to the names, citing a 2009 government circular that prohibits naming villages after individuals. The Rajasthan High Court initially quashed the notification, but a division bench later set aside the order. The Supreme Court reversed the division bench's decision, holding that the government's policy was binding and could not be ignored. The court noted that the policy was designed to maintain communal harmony and that naming villages after individuals was in breach of the policy. The Supreme Court's ruling has implications for the Rajasthan government's efforts to reorganize and create new gram panchayats. The court's decision highlights the importance of adhering to government policies and maintaining transparency in administrative decisions. The Supreme Court's verdict has set aside the high court division bench's judgment and restored the single judge's order quashing the notification insofar as it related to Amargarh and Sagatsar. The ruling is seen as a victory for those who had challenged the government's decision to name villages after individuals."