Andhra Pradesh Govt Would Come Up With A Better Decentralisation Bill, Says CM Jagan

CM Jagan on Monday announced that a comprehensive administrative decentralization bill would be reintroduced in assembly.

Andhra Pradesh: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, while speaking at the assembly today, announced repealing the AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill, 2020. However, he made it clear that he would not back down on the decision of three capitals.

It was announced that the move to repeal the bill was only to introduce a more comprehensive bill in the assembly again in the interest of the state. 

Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy Said, "Many lawsuits were brought against the enactments due to lack of proper opportunity for stakeholders and objections made by Council members. More research and consultations are needed on the subject in order to provide clarity and explanation to the public concerning decentralization."

Speaking at the assembly, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister said, "Before 1956, Kurnool was the capital and Guntur had the high court, but both were eventually relocated to Hyderabad. I don't have anything against Amaravati; it's where I have made my home."

CM Jagan said that the previous government had finalized the capital in violation of the Srikrishna report. Amaravati is neither in Guntur nor is it in Vijayawada, and this area lacks basic infrastructure such as roads, drains, and power, he added.

According to CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, the previous government had estimated that the cost of setting up the infrastructure in Amaravati was Rs 2 lakh per acre and Rs 1 lakh crore for 50,000 acres. "This cost will be according to the latest calculations. Ten years later, the cost will be six to seven lakh crores. How is a capital possible if there is no money to provide roads, drainages, electricity," said CM Jagan.

CM Jagan said, “Centralisation and concentration of development was limited to Hyderabad. That proved to be wrong during division of the state. People do not welcome centralised development that was evident with results of 2019 elections. Again, a ‘Super Capital’ such as Hyderabad is not the need of the hour. What’s needed is an inclusive development of the state and that is why we took steps in favour of the decentralised development.”

"We are still committed to the decentralization of governance. The government would come up with a holistic and better Decentralisation Bill," he concluded.