The Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday gave formal approval to the creation of Malerkotla as the state's 23rd district.
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had announced the creation of a new district of Malerkotla, carving the state's Muslim-majority town from Sangrur district, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr on May 14.
The cabinet meeting, chaired by Mr Singh, was held in Chandigarh on Wednesday.
The cabinet also gave its go-ahead for upgrading Amargarh, which was part of the Malerkotla sub-division, as sub-division or tehsil.
Malerkotla district would now consist of three sub-divisions --Malerkotla, Ahmedgarh and Amargarh, according to an official statement.
A total of 192 villages will be included in Malerkotla district.
The cabinet authorised the chief minister to approve the creation of new posts for offices of 12 departments which include police, rural development and panchayats, social justice and minorities, agriculture and farmer welfare, social security and women and child development, health, education (primary and secondary).
"Ponting Didn't Agree, Ganguly Said We Have To...": Kaif Explains Australia Great's DC Exit Punjab Cyber Police Bust 'Digital Arrest' Fraud Gang Based In Assam Punjab Man Held In Baba Siddique Murder, Aided Shooters Logistically: Cops Emergency Landing, Fliers Stuck For 3 Days In Phuket; Air India Responds Explained: Why Delhi's AQI Was 494 Today But International Monitor Said 1,600 Putin Responds To Biden's Missile Approval By Changing Nuclear Doctrine India, China Direct Flights Soon? S Jaishankar Meets Chinese Foreign Minister US DOJ Will Push Google To Sell Chrome In Anti-Monopoly Measure Palestine Thanks India For $2.5 Million Financial Aid To Its UN Agency Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.