VIJAYAWADA: The decision on the state’s capital is the government’s discretion, municipal administration minister Botcha Satyanarayana said on Thurday. Reacting to the high court’s verdict on Amaravati, he said capital is not just about development of land.
“The state is committed to three capital cities. A capital is not for one particular caste, it is for the entire society. It is not for one area, but for the entire state.
We are taking the views of people. We have not decided on appeal in the Supreme Court,” the minister said. Adding that returning developed plots to farmers is not possible in three months, he said he would respond further after going through the judgement.
The high court’s order to develop infrastructure in Amaravati in six months is a major setback to the government.
The high court's order to develop infrastructure in Amaravati in six months is a major setback to the government. Sources said the government has almost finalised its plans to move the capital to Visakhapatnam. While withdrawing the three capitals bills last year, the chief minister had indicated that the government will come back with the bills afresh.
The chief minister, sources added, planned to shift the administration to Visakhapatnam by April 2 this year when the new districts become functional. Now, with the high court directing the government to provide infrastructure in Amaravati and implement the CRDA Act, 2014 in the next six months, the government has to rework its plans.
The chief minister held an emergency meeting with cabinet colleagues and senior officials to take stock of the situation following the high court verdict on Thursday.
He reportedly told officials and colleagues to remain silent for the time being.
"Building a city is not the job of the government. The government will build its office and residential accommodation to the extent required," was the immediate reaction from the government after the judgement was pronounced.
