Andhra Pradesh CM and Cabinet to Relocate to Vishakhapatnam for Development Oversight

Andhra Pradesh CM and Cabinet to Relocate to Vishakhapatnam for Development Oversight

VoM News Desk | October 13, 2023 | 08:40 AM IST | Andhra Pradesh, Politics | Follow on Google News

Andhra Pradesh CM and Cabinet to Relocate to Vishakhapatnam for Development Oversight

Andhra Pradesh CM and Cabinet to Relocate to Vishakhapatnam for Development Oversight

Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his cabinet members are set to make a significant move to Vishakhapatnam to oversee a wide array of development programs in the north coastal districts of the state, according to a recent government order (GO) issued on Wednesday night. This decision comes amid the ongoing deliberation about the state’s three capital proposal, which is currently pending before the Supreme Court.

The government order, GO No. 2015, was issued by chief secretary KS Jawahar Reddy and comes several weeks after the state cabinet approved the gradual shift of administrative offices from the capital, Amaravati, to the bustling port city.

Reviewing Welfare and Development Programs in North Andhra

As per the issued GO, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will set up camp in Visakhapatnam to review and monitor various welfare and development programs in the Uttarandhra (North Andhra) districts, which encompass Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, and Anakapalli. This review will be conducted alongside ministers, senior officers, and district officials, facilitating quick dissemination of decisions to field-level functionaries.

Addressing Historical Backwardness and Socio-economic Challenges

The move is prompted by the necessity to address the historical backwardness of the North Andhra region, which continues to exhibit low socio-economic development indicators in areas such as health, education, irrigation, intensity, and connectivity. Moreover, it is home to a substantial population of Tribal and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) in the state. Four out of five districts in the region have been identified as Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Special Development Initiatives for North Coastal Region

Acknowledging the historical context of its backwardness, Section 46(3) of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, provides for incentives and special development for the North Coastal region. This development initiative aims to uplift the socio-economic conditions in the region, given that two of the three aspirational districts identified by NITI Aayog are located here.

The state government has also issued orders to all secretaries, heads of departments, and special officers to regularly visit the North Coastal districts for the periodic review and monitoring of welfare and development programs, as well as the implementation of the chief minister’s assurances.

This relocation aligns with the state government’s plan to establish three capitals for the state – an executive (administrative) capital in Visakhapatnam, a legislative capital in Amaravati, and a judicial capital in Kurnool. The Supreme Court is currently examining the legal aspects of this plan, with the next hearing scheduled for November.

In a proactive move, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) is set to relocate in the first phase, starting from October 23, though legal challenges remain a possibility. Nevertheless, this administrative order paves the way for the phased shift of the CMO and other offices to Vishakhapatnam, marking a significant step in Andhra Pradesh’s development journey.

VoM News Desk

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