The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday will present the crucial Decentralisation and AP Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) Repeal Bills before Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan for his approval. The Bill is intended to create three Capitals – Vizag as executive capital, Legislative at Amaravati and Judiciary at Kurnool.
Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan’s clearance to the Bill is given considering that he had already endorsed the Jagan government’s three Capitals plan.
The Governor, in his joint video address to the AP Legislative Assembly and Council last week, had said that the Andhra Pradesh government was firm on its decision to decentralise governance and equal development in the state as proposed earlier.
Biswabhusan Harichandan had ascertained that the Andhra Pradesh government was committed to create three capitals terming the decision as “wise” even as the decision was challenged in the High Court by the Amaravati farmers.
Once the Bill get’s the Governor’s nod, the government is likely to issue a gazette notification. The government is of the view that it would be deemed to have been passed after the Governor’s approval. Consequently, the Bill will come into force. However, legal experts say
On January 19, the Jaganmohan Reddy government introduced the CRDA Repeal Bills in the Assembly to create three capitals in the state, but faced a roadblock in the Council, where the ruling YSRC does not have the strength to get the Bills passed. The Council chairman had then referred them to a select committee.
On June 17, the TDP MLC Yanamala Ramakrishnudu had issued a notice under Rule 90 to ensure that status quo is maintained in so far as the Decentralisation Bill and the CRDA Repeal Bill was concerned. However, the Bill will be deemed to have been passed if the Legislative Assembly passes a bill for the second time with or without amendments after a month even if the Council does not act on it.
However, legal experts believe that the Governor’s approval of the CRDA Repeal Bills will not suffice. Senior advocate of Andhra Pradesh High Court opined that the Bills will have to stand before the court of law. Further, he reminded that the issue is pending before the High Court. Additionally, the Bills require President Ramnath Kovind’s approval since the CRDA Repeal Bills is linked to the central legislation. The Central government had granted ₹ 1,500 crore for capital creation in Amaravati.
