The High Court Seeks Information from Andhra Pradesh State Government
In a significant development, the Andhra Pradesh High Court, presided over by Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice U. Durga Prasad Rao, has reserved its decision regarding the potential relocation of government offices from Amaravati to Visakhapatnam. The court’s decision comes after an appeal filed by the Andhra Pradesh government against a single judge’s ruling earlier prohibiting any office shifts until the matter is heard by a Full Bench.
As part of the proceedings, the court has instructed the government to provide comprehensive details regarding the officers and Heads of Departments (HoDs) involved in the proposed relocations, as well as the specific arrangements for the new offices in Visakhapatnam. Acknowledging the government’s objective of bringing governance closer to the people, the court emphasized the need for thorough consideration on whether this move aims to undermine the Full Bench’s previous ruling on March 3, 2022. That ruling established, through a continuous Mandamus, that the State lacks the legislative competence to relocate the capital.
Advocate-General S. Sriram indicated the possibility of referring the matter to a Full Bench, while awaiting the government’s response through its counters. Senior advocate Unnam Muralidhar Rao presented arguments on behalf of the Amaravati farmers.
It is worth mentioning that Justice Nimmagadda Venkateswarlu had earlier restrained the State government from implementing a controversial Government Order (RT.No.2283), issued on November 22, 2023, which proposed “transit accommodation” for the Chief Minister, Ministers, and senior government officers during their visits to Visakhapatnam for conducting review meetings on the development of the northern districts of Andhra Pradesh. This order will remain on hold until a Full Bench reaches a final decision.
Consequently, the State government filed writ appeals contesting the single judge’s interim order on the grounds that it essentially maintains the status quo without examining the merits of the case.
Various organizations, including Amaravati Rajadhani Sameekarana Rythu Samakhya, Rajadhani Rythu Parirakshana Samithi, and Amaravati Parirakshana Samithi, represented by managing trustee Gadde Tirupathi Rao, voiced their concerns regarding the government’s actions to provide accommodation in Visakhapatnam. They argue that these endeavors are part of a conspiracy to shift the capital away from Amaravati, aligning with the broader concept of decentralization and inclusive development across all regions.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court’s decision is eagerly awaited, as it will have far-reaching implications for the potential relocation of government offices to Visakhapatnam. As the court seeks further information on office relocations and the authorities involved in overseeing the transitional process, the Andhra Pradesh State Government must provide comprehensive details to aid in the court’s deliberations.