AP Capital: Lot of surprises in Expert Panel report

The expert committee on capital development had finally met chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy and submitted its report to him on Friday.

The expert committee headed by G N Rao submitted the report, which is expected to favour decentralisation of development.

However, it is not known whether it had recommended separate capitals for executive (secretariat) and legislature (assembly), as indicated by Jaganmohan Reddy in the Assembly.

The committee, with experts on urbenisation, town planning and environment, is understood to have also studied the recommendations of Sivarama Krishnan committee in recommending the capital for the residuary state. Readmore!

Ironically, the TDP government headed by Chandrababu Naidu, had ignored the Sivarama Krishnan committee in deciding Thulluru mandal for the capital.

Though the committee recommended against location of the capital between Vijayawada and Guntur, mostly along Krishna river, Chandrababu Naidu, zeroed it on 29 villages along the river.

Now, the present committee headed by retired IAS officer, G N Rao, too is understood to have recommended against continuing the capital in Velagapudi and other villages because of the construction cost involved in it.

The committee had reportedly reviewed the expenditure incurred by the previous TDP government for the construction of the existing buildings in Amaravati and formation of the roads and felt that the massive expenditure was not required for a state which is running with revenue deficit.

It is to be seen what the Chief Minister would decide after going through the report. The decision is likely to be taken at the cabinet meeting scheduled for December 24.

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