Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh made a significant move by presenting a resolution in the state’s Legislative Assembly, urging the Centre to grant Amaravati statutory recognition as the official capital. This resolution, discussed during a special Assembly session, aims to bring long-term stability and legal clarity to the capital city issue. Naidu stressed the necessity of amending the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, for permanent legal certainty.
The Andhra Pradesh Assembly passed a resolution requesting the Government of India to amend Section 5 of the Act by adding the words “at Amaravati” into sub-section (2). Additionally, the resolution aims to define Amaravati to include all areas notified under the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) Act, 2014. This move is part of efforts to resolve the administrative and legal uncertainties surrounding Amaravati’s status as the state capital.
The Amaravati capital project, estimated at around Rs 64,000 crore, involves the voluntary pooling of over 34,000 acres of land by approximately 30,000 farmers. This initiative, which began over a decade ago, was intended to create a modern city without the usual delays associated with land acquisition. The project has received significant financial support from the State, the Centre, and international agencies like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
Chief Minister Naidu emphasized the importance of backing the resolution to protect the aspirations of the people and the investments made by thousands of farmers in Amaravati. The resolution signifies a crucial step towards providing the necessary legal framework for Amaravati to function as the official capital of Andhra Pradesh.
