Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy Meets Modi, Discusses Special Status to State & Release of Central Funds

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday presented his government's case to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a host of issues, including the plan to have three capitals for the state and the resolution to abolish the Legislative Council.

The state legislative assembly has already approved a resolution to abolish the council and sent it the Union government for its acceptance.

"The legislative council is creating obstacles to important Bills. We have decided to abolish it. We need your support," he reportedly told Modi.

Reddy also invited him to attend a programme in the state on March 25 (Telugu New Year's Day Ugadi) when 25 lakh house-sites will be distributed to eligible families on a single day.

Reddy, who air-dashed to New Delhi on a call from the Prime Minister's Office, had a 100-minute meeting with him at the latter’s residence. He presented Modi with a 10-point memorandum for expeditious action by the central government on issues related to the state, a press release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said.

Jagan told Modi that the idea behind "three capitals for the state" was to ensure comprehensive development of all regions of the state by removing the imbalances in growth.

"In this direction, we have decided to decentralise the administration by locating the executive capital in Visakhapatnam, judicial capital in Kurnool and legislative capital in Amaravati. The state Cabinet has already approved this plan, while the Decentralisation Bill was passed by the state assembly,” the release quoted Reddy as saying.

However, there was no mention about the legislative hurdle the Bill has been facing, as the Council decided to refer it to a Select Committee for further scrutiny.

But Reddy complained to Modi that the Legislative Council was trying to block legislation brought in by the duly-elected government.

"In this backdrop, the Assembly passed a resolution with two-thirds majority seeking abolition of the Council. I request you to direct the Union Law Ministry to take further action in this regard," he added.

Reddy also requested Modi to direct the Law Ministry to initiate steps to shift the AP High Court to Kurnool, the proposed judicial capital, from Amaravati.

Stating that his government enacted the AP Disha Act-2019 for expeditious trial of sexual harassment and assault cases against women and children, with death penalty as the maximum punishment, Reddy requested the Centre to give its consent to it.

Reddy also took up the Special Category Status issue, revenue deficit grant, Polavaram multipurpose project,backward districts development grant and the annual grants from the Centre that were due to the state, the release said.

As the 15th Finance Commission left the SCS issue to the Centre's discretion, Reddy wanted Modi to take necessary decision in this regard.

(With inputs from PTI)