AP Cabinet Endorses Report Supporting 3 Capitals

The Andhra Pradesh cabinet today met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy and approved the High Power Committee report on administrative decentralization and comprehensive development of all the regions in the state (read: three capitals for the state).

The hour-long special cabinet meeting saw the council of ministers take various crucial decisions related to the development of all regions in the State. The meeting took five decisions:

1. Doubling the capital farmers' compensation from Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000

2. Increasing the lease period for tenant farmers from 10 to 15 years

3. Endorsing the proposal to set up over 11,000 Farmers' Guarantee Centers or Rythu Bharosa Centers in the State

4. Converting the CRDA into the Amaravati Metropolitan Regional Development Authority, and

5. Establishing the Pulivendula Urban Development Authority

After the cabinet meeting, Speaker Tammineni Sitaram chaired the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting at 10 am. It was attended by Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy, Chief Whip G Srikanth Reddy, and MLA Achhnennaidu on behalf of the TDP. The Business Advisory Committee will introduce bills relating to the establishment of zones in the State, decentralisation of AP's development, repealing of the CRDA Act, benefits for Amaravathi farmers, and converting of the medium of instruction in all government schools to English.

Later, the three-day special session of the Assembly began amidst tight security under Section 144 CrPC, which prohibits assembly of four or more persons in some parts of Vijayawada and Guntur to facilitate smooth functioning of the Assembly and movement of public representatives.

A heavy police force has been deployed on the Prakasam Barrage. Movements of only legislators, officials and emergency staff are allowed on the barrage, which connects Vijayawada to the State Assembly in Amaravathi.