The Andhra Pradesh State Cabinet started at 11:30 A.M., on the 15th of July.
The Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) decided to conduct the Cabinet meeting to decide on the shifting of the executive capital to Visakhapatnam.
The Cabinet is also expected to discuss the As Decentralisation Bill, introduced in December 2019 by the ruling YSRCP Government.
According to the new bill, the State decided to have three capitals of Andhra Pradesh: Amaravati (Legislative Capital,) Visakhapatnam (Executive Capital) and Kurnool (Judicial Capital.)
The Decentralisation and AP Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) Repeal Bills were passed in the A.P., Legislative Assembly in January 2020, but was not approved in the A.P., Legislative Council.
The Council Chairman referred the bill to a selected committee.
However, later the YSRCP decided to abolish the Legislative Council and passed a resolution regarding the same.
On the 28th of January, the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRC) sent a resolution passed in the Andhra Pradesh (A.P.,) Assembly to the Central Government.
On the 27th of January, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, tabled a resolution to abolish the Legislative Council of A.P., during an Assembly session.
The resolution was approved by a two thirds majority of the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) present during the session.
After the resolution, the YSRCP again tabled the Decentralisation bill and got them passed in the Assembly.
Once again, on the 17th of June, as per the procedure, after being approved in the Assembly session, the YSRCP tabled the Decentralisation Bill in the Council and was unable to pass due to lack of majority.
Since the session ended abruptly due to the pandemic crisis, officials said Decentralisation Bill could be passed after the 17th of July.
According to Article 197 of the Indian Constitution, a Bill would be deemed to have been passed if more than three months elapses from the day it is laid before the Council without it being passed.
Ummareddy Venkateswarulu, Government Chief Whip in the Council, said, “As the Bills were tabled in the Council for the second time and would complete 30 days by July 17, they would be deemed to have been passed and will be sent to the Governor.”
Besides vast discussion over the shifting of the State Capital, the Cabinet would also discuss the ongoing Coronavirus situation, pension and other welfare programmes. Discussion on formation of new districts and development of existing districts would also be a part of today’s meeting.
The meeting which started at 11:30 A.M., is underway.
Stay tuned for further updates.
