The Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union territories) Act, 2019
The Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Act, 2019 is an Indian legislation enacted by the Parliament of India to merge two Union Territories — Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu — into a single Union Territory for administrative efficiency.
📘 Objective of the Act
The primary aim of the Act was to merge the two neighboring Union Territories to:
Improve administrative efficiency,
Reduce duplication of services,
Improve the delivery of public services, and
Save public funds.
🧾 Background
Before the Act:
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were two separate Union Territories.
Both territories were administered by the same Administrator since 1987.
The territories had similar cultural, historical, and geographical backgrounds.
After the merger:
A new Union Territory was formed called "Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu".
Came into effect from 26th January 2020.
📊 Summary Table
| Feature | Before the Act (Separate UTs) | After the Act (Merged UT) |
|---|---|---|
| Name of UTs | Dadra and Nagar Haveli; Daman and Diu | Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu |
| Number of UTs | 2 | 1 |
| Date of Merger | Not applicable | 26 January 2020 |
| Legislation | Separate laws applied | The Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of UTs) Act, 2019 |
| Administrator | Common Administrator for both UTs | Single Administrator for the merged UT |
| Capital | Silvassa (DNH), Daman (D&D) | Daman (for merged UT) |
| Representation in Lok Sabha | 1 MP each (total 2 MPs) | 2 MPs (No change) |
| Representation in Rajya Sabha | 0 | 0 |
| Judiciary | Separate jurisdiction under Bombay High Court | Unified jurisdiction under Bombay High Court |
| Official Language | Gujarati, Hindi | Gujarati, Hindi |
| Impact on Employees | Separate cadres | Cadre integration for efficiency |
🏛️ Key Provisions of the Act
Merger of Territories:
The territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu are merged into a single Union Territory.
Governance:
The new UT is administered by one Administrator, appointed by the President of India.
Legislative Representation:
The merged UT continues to have two Lok Sabha seats (one from each region).
Judicial System:
The Bombay High Court remains the court with jurisdiction over the merged UT.
Cadre Restructuring:
Employees from both UTs are integrated under one administrative structure to avoid duplication and promote efficiency.
Savings and Continuity:
All existing laws, rules, and orders in the two UTs continue to be in force until harmonized or repealed.
⚖️ Importance of the Merger
Administrative Streamlining: Reduced redundancy in governance structures.
Resource Optimization: Efficient use of financial and human resources.
Cultural Unity: The merged UTs have shared heritage and culture.
Better Service Delivery: Unified services lead to better governance outcomes. Do write to us if you need any further assistance.
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