AP govt okays dist admin rejig; move on Anamayya dist triggers protest
resolves to form Madanapalle, Markapuram and Rampachodavaram districts increasing the total number
image for illustrative purpose
Amaravati: As part of the exercise to reorganise the districts on the ground of administrative convenience, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Monday resolved to form Madanapalle, Markapuram and Rampachodavaram districts increasing the total number to 28.
Rayachoti, now headquarters of Anamaya district, will be merged with newly carved out Madanapalle district. The decision to abolish the existing Annamayya district and incorporate its areas into new or existing districts has triggered angry protests in the area mainly in Rayachoti. Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, an MLA from Rayachoti, broke into tears at the Cabinet meeting when the proposal was made to abolish Annamayya district and merge various areas under it with other districts. He was also seen in tears after emerging from the meeting. Later he was escorted into a car by his Ministerial colleague Janardhan Reddy.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who blamed the previous YSRCP Government for unscientific methods followed for formation of new districts, said they have taken decisions based on public feedback and objections received after a massive exercise was undertaken on reorganisation of the districts.
Though Annamayya district is abolished, the name of the district will be retained as Anamayya with headquarters at Madanapalle. Addanki constituency will be brought under Bapatla district from Prakasam district. Madakasira will be formed into a new revenue division.
A notification to this effect will be issued in a day or two. The newly constituted districts and divisions will come into effect from January 1, 2026. Rajampet will be integrated with Kadapa district and Railway Koduru will be part of Tirupati district. Gudur, which was part of Tirupati district, will now be part and parcel of Nellore district. The Cabinet turned down the demand by the locals for retaining Rayachoti as a district headquarters as it was not viable to maintain it with a single Assembly constituency. The Cabinet gave its stamp of approval to the formation of five new revenue divisions.
At a media briefing here, Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Pasad along with Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar and Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said 24 items came up for the discussion and justified the guidelines followed for reconstitution of the districts. Satya Prasad said changes were made into districts, mandals and divisions as per the suggestions and objections received from the public and on the recommendation of a Group of Ministers formed by the Chief Minister. He said Naidu promised to develop areas around Polavaram and take special interest in the overall development of Rayachoti.
Yadav said the destruction made by the YSRCP regime notwithstanding, the Centre led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is extending wholehearted support to accelerate development in Andhra Pradesh. He said "we are spending about Rs.3 lakh crore on infrastructure." "With the support of the Centre and able leadership of Chief Minister Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, NTR Bharosa pensions worth Rs50,000 crore, road repairs worth Rs2500 crore, Rs.1200 crore on new roads are being spent," said Manohar. The Cabinet also approved the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) decision to allocate Rs1300 crore for Amaravati layout infrastructure works and Rs.444 crore for flood pumping system.
At the 56th CRDA meeting, the proposal made to allot two acres for the R & D centre at Amaravati Quantum Valley with a funding of Rs.104 crore was approved by the Council of Ministers. For Ayush hospital, the Cabinet cleared the proposal to allot 23 acres at Sakhamuru village at a concessional rate to the Government of India.
