Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Approves Draft Resolution to Legally Cement Amaravati as State Capital
In a significant move, the Andhra Pradesh cabinet on Thursday approved a draft resolution to be passed in a special session of the assembly scheduled for Saturday. This resolution is aimed at formally requesting the Union government to amend the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act (APSRA) of 2014 to explicitly include Amaravati as the capital of the state.
Details of the Proposed Amendment
The resolution seeks to amend Section 5(2) of the APSRA by replacing the existing text, "there shall be a new capital for the state of Andhra Pradesh," with "there shall be a new capital for the state of Andhra Pradesh at Amaravati." Additionally, the amendment will include a definition of Amaravati in the explanation part, specifying it as the area notified under the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Act (APCRDA) of 2014. This legal reinforcement is intended to ensure that Amaravati remains the permanent capital, unaffected by changes in political regimes.
Background and Rationale
Kolusu Parthasarathi, the Minister for Information and Public Relations (I&PR), explained that the assembly resolution is being pursued to prevent any future alterations to the capital city. He noted that the cabinet had previously passed a resolution in 2025 requesting the Union government for an amendment to the APSRA. However, after consulting legal experts and considering feedback from the Union government, the decision was made to pass an assembly resolution to legally solidify Amaravati as the sole capital. This step is particularly in response to past experiences during the YSRCP regime, where uncertainties arose regarding the capital's status.
Other Key Cabinet Decisions
Beyond the capital resolution, the cabinet approved several other important proposals:
- SRM University Construction: Permission was granted for SRM University to construct academic buildings up to a height of 60 metres, provided they comply with fire and life safety norms under the AP Fire Services Act.
- Judicial Infrastructure: The cabinet approved the establishment of 96 courts with designated nomenclature, the creation of 1,730 posts across various judicial cadres, and the inclusion of newly created judicial officer posts in the sanctioned cadre strength, as proposed by the High Court.
- Quarry Leases for Vaddera Societies: The Industries and Commerce Department proposed guidelines for preferential allotment of quarry leases to Vaddera societies, along with a 50% concession in premium and seigniorage fees, which received cabinet approval. This fulfills a promise made by minister Nara Lokesh during his Yuvagalam Padayatra.
- Property Tax Waiver: A proposal from the municipal administration and urban development department seeking ratification of a government order providing a one-time waiver of interest on property tax arrears for 2025–26 in municipalities and municipal corporations was approved.
- Water Resources Projects: Administrative approvals and revised estimates were granted for HNSS Phase-I and Phase-II works with Rs 606 crore, operation and maintenance of lift irrigation schemes in Kurnool district with Rs 44 crore, and watch and ward arrangements along the Punganuru branch canal. Another proposal to enhance floor prices for land acquisition in Polavaram project-affected mandals, requiring ₹565.06 crore, also received cabinet approval. The department also proposed continuation of works on the Polavaram Lift Scheme and ratification of appointments of advocates for interstate water dispute cases.
These decisions underscore the state government's commitment to infrastructure development, judicial reforms, and social welfare, alongside the pivotal move to legally anchor Amaravati as Andhra Pradesh's capital.
