Explained: Why did the Andhra Pradesh government repeal 3 capitals Act?

The Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a Bill to repeal two laws that were cleared earlier as part of the YSRCP government’s contentious move to set up three different state capitals instead of proceeding with the previous TDP regime’s plan to develop the current capital of Amaravati.

Of the two, one of the laws that were repealed was the The Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Act, 2020, passed in January 2020 to make way for three capitals for the state. Bugganna Rajendranath Reddy, the Minister for Finance, Planning, and Legislative Affairs, introduced the Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Repeal Bill, 2021, which was passed unanimously through a voice vote.

Also read: Chun Doo-hwan, ex-South Korean strongman, dies at age 90

In 2019, after the YSR Congress Party came to power, it had decided to reverse the previous government’s decision to have an ambitious world-class capital city at Amaravati, which is located between Vijayawada and Guntur. The TDP government had acquired as many as 33,000 acres of agricultural land from 29 villages and promised to return developed plots in return, apart from monetary compensation.

TDP, while moving its seat of power from Hyderabad to Amaravati, had built an interim government complex, a temporary High Court building, a permanent Legislative complex, and even bungalows and apartments for lawmakers, judges, and officers.

Also read: What is Matosinhos Manifesto?

Why did the government repeal the 3 capitals Act?

Over a hundred petitions challenging the government’s move have been filed before the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The Indian Express reported that several of these petitions were backed by the TDP. Farmers of Amaravati, who let the government acquire their lands, wanted them to stick to the previous plan and build a world-class capital city in the same location.

Explaining the move, the Chief Minister promised to introduce a “better” and more “comprehensive” Bill after plugging the loopholes in the previous one. He blamed the TDP government for choosing Amaravati as the capital as it lacked basic infrastructures, such as roads and drainage systems.

Also read: Madhya Pradesh man gets Taj Mahal-like home built for wife

He pointed out that Rs 1 lakh crore was required to build just that, which may escalate to Rs 5 or 6 lakh crore in 10 years.

Will Andhra Pradesh have only one capital now?

However, it is not clear if the government will stick to Amaravati as the sole capital. Throughout his address, the Chief Minister stressed on the need for decentralization for equitable development of all regions. The CM also did not set any deadline for the introduction of the new Bill.