10:30 January 21
Heavy police deployment in Amaravati in wake of JAC bandh call
Heavy police presence was seen on the streets in Amaravati region, after the Amaravati farmers' Joint Action Committee (JAC) gave a bandh call against the passage of the 'three-capital' Bill. Numerous people were reportedly injured as police lathi-charged the farmers who were trying to enter the Assembly premises yesterday.
08:07 January 21
Non-bailable cases filed against TDP MP
Non-bailable cases have been filed against TDP MP from Guntur, Galla Jayadev. He had taken part in protest yesterday. Galla was produced before Mangalagiri Magistrate post-midnight and was remanded to custody till January 31. He was among those injured in the baton charge.
07:54 January 21
TDP turned Amaravati development into real estate venture: CM
During his speech, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that TDP government led by Chandrababu Naidu had turned development of Amaravati into real estate venture. He said the TDP leaders resorted to insider trading by buying lands in Amaravati at throw away prices before choosing the region as the state capital.
Speaking in the absence of TDP MLAs, who were suspended for stalling the proceedings, Reddy played audio-visual slides to present his arguments before the House. He highlighted how Naidu ignored the report of Sivaramakrishnan Committee, which had opposed concentrating development at one place and did not favour Krishna-Guntur region for developing the state capital.
The Chief Minister said developing 8 square kilometre Amaravati required a whopping Rs 1 lakh crore and given the precarious finances of the state and his government's priorities, it was not in a position to arrange the required funds. He said irrigation projects, drinking water, electricity for farmers, health, education and welfare programmes were the priorities of the government.
07:54 January 21
Bill passed amidst vociferous protests
The passing of the Bills and the resolution capped a hectic day in Amaravati, which was rocked by protests by farmers and the opposition parties.
Police resorted to baton charge at few places to stop protestors from heading towards secretariat and Assembly. TDP MP from Guntur, Galla Jayadev was among those injured in the baton charge.
Running through the barren fields of Amaravati, the protestors fought pitched battled with the police. Some women were also injured in the clashes.
Late in the evening, police stopped Jana Sena President and actor Pawan Kalyan from visiting Amaravati villages. Chandrababu Naidu and TDP MLAs were also detained while trying to undertake apadyatra'' in support of farmers.
07:49 January 21
Andhra Pradesh Assembly passes three-capital Bill
After nearly 12-hour-long marathon sitting, the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Monday passed by a voice vote the a Bill to Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill 2020 to develop Visakhapatnam and Kurnool as the capitals in addition to Amaravati. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy assured justice to Amaravati farmers, who have been on a warpath for more than a month.
Capital Region Development Authority Repeal Bill 2020 was also passed to repeal the CRDA Act passed in 2015 to develop Amaravati as the state capital.
The House also passed a resolution for development of three state capitals. According to the resolution, the move is aimed at decentralisation of governance and for ensuring inclusive development of all regions.
Replying to the debate on the Bills, the Chief Minister said the capital was not being shifted from Amaravati as it would continue as the legislative capital. "We are only developing two more capitals to do justice to other regions," he said.
Reddy said Visakhapatnam would be the executive capital while Kurnool will be the judicial capital.
He announced that the farmers who gave their lands for the capital will be paid annuity term for 15 years as against 10 years announced by the previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government. The government also decided to increase ex-gratia for farmers from Rs 2500 per month to Rs 5000 per month.
00:41 January 21
Police release TDP chief in Mangalagiri town
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu, who was detained outside the state assembly has been released in Mangalagiri town.
Chandrababu Naidu, along with his convoy has left for his residence.
23:31 January 20
Police detain TDP chief outside state assembly
TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu was detained outside the state assembly, as he wanted to go into villages in Amaravati.
Police took him and others in a police van and dropped them at his residence.
23:28 January 20
Nowhere in world one state has three capitals: Naidu
TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu said that nowhere in the world for one state there are 3 capitals.
"Today is a black day, we wanted to save Amaravati & Andhra Pradesh. Not only me, throughout the state, people are fighting and coming on roads. Govt is arresting everyone. It's bad for democracy," he said.
23:16 January 20
TDP chief stages a sit-in protest against suspension of 17 TDP MLAs
Former Chief Minister & TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu sit on stairs outside the state assembly after 17 TDP MLAs were suspended from the House for the day.
They had created ruckus while the CM was addressing the House&raised slogans of 'Jai Amaravati'.
23:14 January 20
17 TDP MLAs suspended from Assembly for disrupting AP CM's address
Seventeen MLAs of the opposition Telugu Desam Party were suspended from the Assembly for disrupting Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's address on the Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill, 2020.
The House witnessed bedlam as the TDP legislators stormed the Speaker's podium and raised slogans demanding that their leader N Chandrababu Naidu be allowed to continue with his address.
They also raised 'Jai Amaravati' slogan during the address of the Leader of the House.
A visibly irritated Jagan asked the Speaker to call in the House Marshals to evict the opposition members.
Legislative Affairs Minister Buggana Rajendranath then moved a motion for suspension of the 17 TDP MLAs, including deputy leaders K Atchannaidu and N China Rajappa. The motion was passed by voice vote.
Following this, marshals entered the House to evict the TDP members but the latter resisted, causing pandemonium.
The marshals then forcibly evicted the protesting legislators from the House, after which the chief minister continued his address.
Leader of Opposition Chandrababu Naidu later joined his colleagues at the Assembly entrance gate and staged a sit-in protest.
23:06 January 20
Capital region authority repeal bill introduced in Assembly
Botsa Satyanarayana, state minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development introduced the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) Repeal Bill, 2020 in the state Assambly.
According to an official statement, the Bill will replace the CRDA with Amaravati Metropolitan Region Development Authority (AMRDA).
23:02 January 20
Decision of cabinet to have 3 Capitals is 'foolish' says Lanka Dinakaran
BJP leader Lanka Dinakaran on Monday slammed Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP government for giving nod to the three capital proposal.
He termed it a 'foolish cabinet decision.' "I strongly condemn the decision of the government for having three capital," said Dinakaran.
20:51 January 20
YSRCP workers perform 'Ksheera abhishekam' on CM's photo in Vizag
YSRCP workers in Visakhapatnam performed 'Ksheera abhishekam' on Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy's photograph for approving three capitals for the state.
20:47 January 20
Decentralization of govt is idea behind 3 capitals: Mekapati Goutham Reddy
Andhra Pradesh minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy said that Idea behind 3 capitals is to make sure that governance is decentralized.
"We need to make sure that all regions enjoy the equal status of development, empowerment & governance. We are going to deliver governance at people's doorstep," said Goutham Reddy.
20:34 January 20
YSRCP workers perform 'Ksheera abhishekam' on CM's photo in Srikakulam
YSRCP workers in Srikakulam performed 'Ksheera abhishekam' on YS Rajasekhara Reddy 's photograph and cut a cake in support of Andhra Pradesh Government approving three capitals for the state.
20:28 January 20
Cabinet approves High Power Committee report on three capitals
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy led-government approved the High Power Committee report at a cabinet meeting.
The cabinet approved the idea of three capitals-- Visakhapatnam as executive capital, Kurnool as judicial capital and Amaravati as legislative capital.
Based on the recommendations of the report, other key issues like decentralisation of development, concerns of farmers, employee issues, insider trading of Amaravati lands and Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) amendment were discussed during the meeting, said an official release.
In addition to the decentralisation and CRDA Amendment Bills, the state government has also agreed for offering better packages to the farmers of Amaravati region.
The meeting decided to increase the ex gratia being paid to the farmers of the capital region from Rs 2,500 per month to Rs 5,000 per month.
"The Cabinet has also approved the proposal to extend the tenancy limit for fifteen years to the farmers, who gave up their lands for the capital city construction and approved for the establishment of the Amaravati Metropolitan Development Authority in place of CRDA," added the release.
Further, the Cabinet agreed to establish over 11,000 Farmer Assistance Centres (Rythu Barosa Kendram) across the state.
After an hour-long Cabinet meeting, the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting was held under the chairmanship of Speaker Tammineni Sitaram.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy and the government's Chief Whip G Srikanth Reddy took part in the BAC meeting along with TDP MLA Atchannaidu.
17:52 January 20
TDP MP Galla Jayadev detained during march
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Galla Jayadev detained by the police in Amaravati during the rally.
"The government never mentioned about three capital before the elections. They kept the public in dark. They did not mention this in the manifesto and they have got no mandate from the public to change the capital or make it into three. They have won the election on a false pretext and false claims," MP Jayadev said.
He claimed that no government officials have come here to speak to the farmers who are protesting for 32 days.
The leader said that he condemns the autocratic attitude and the fight for Amaravati will continue. A tense situation prevailed at 'Dharna Chowk' as the Amaravati Joint Action Committee (JAC) leaders marched towards the state assembly.
14:17 January 20
Amaravati region sees intensified protests
After the three capitals bill was tabled in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, protests against the Jagan Mohan Reddy government intensified in the Amaravati region.
14:03 January 20
Amaravati self-financing project, no need to change capital: TDP MP
TDP MP from Vijayawada, Kesineni Srinivas condemned the house arrests of former TDP MLAs and Amaravati Joint Action Committee leaders.
Stressing that the YSRCP government's three-capital decision is not good for the state's development, he said that Amaravati is a self-financing project and there is no need to change the capital to any other place.
13:00 January 20
YSRCP takes out bike rally in support of 3-capital proposal
Members of the YSR Congress Party took out a bike rally in support of the Jagan Mohan Reddy government's three-capital proposal in Vizianagaram.
12:38 January 20
Naidu leads protest near Assembly
Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu led a protest against the 'three-capital' proposal near the Andhra Pradesh Assembly.
12:14 January 20
3 capitals Bill tabled in AP Assembly
Sealing the fate of Amaravati as the Andhra Pradesh capital, a Bill was tabled in the Assembly on Monday to develop Visakhapatnam and Kurnool as the two other state capitals.
Ending all speculations and ignoring protests from the entire opposition and Amaravati farmers, the state's ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government tabled a Bill to shift key capital functions out of Amaravati.
As soon as the House met for a three-day special session, Finance Minister Bugga Rajendranath Reddy moved the Andhra Pradesh Decentralization and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill 2020.
Urban Development Minister Botsa Satyanarayana tabled the Capital Region Development Authority repeal Bill 2020, bringing curtains on Amaravati as the only state capital as envisaged by former Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government.
Terming the Bill as historic, the Finance Minister announced that there will be three seats of administration to ensure balanced development of all regions.
He said Amaravati Metropolitan Region will be the legislative capital of the state. Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region will be the executive capital, which means the secretariat will be shifted from Amaravati to the port city.
He also announced that Kurnool will be the judicial capital.
11:14 January 20
Cabinet gives nod to decentralisation
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approved four bills to be placed in the House. The cabinet also gave its nod to the recommendations of the high power committee on the state's all round development and decentralisation of governance.
10:21 January 20
Protesters detained in Guntur
Police detained student union leaders who were protesting against the government's three-capital proposal in Guntur. The protesters were seen raising slogans against Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.
09:03 January 20
Heavy security presence at Vijayawada
Ahead of the special session of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, heavy security has been deployed at the Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada. Section 144 of CrPc has also been imposed in Vijaywada and Guntur areas.
08:54 January 20
3-capital idea mooted to end backwardness of North Andhra region: Tourism Minister
Lambasting Telugu Desam Party (TDP) for opposing the proposal of three capital for Andhra Pradesh, state Tourism Minister Muttamsetti and YSRCP leader Srinivasa Rao claimed that the idea has been mooted to put an end to the backwardness of North Andhra region.
"TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu ruled as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh by getting votes from the people. However, now he only wants development in one region (Amaravati). I want to tell you that the aim of the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government in Andhra Pradesh is to bring development in backward areas of the North Andhra region," Rao said.
08:19 January 20
Three capitals: Visakhapatnam as executive capital, Kurnool as judicial capital and Amaravati as legislative capital
Amaravati:A special session of Andhra Pradesh assembly will begin on Monday amid tight security as a decision is likely to be taken on decentralisation of the state capital, Amaravati.
While the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government is likely to pass a resolution for decentralisation of the state capital, the opposition parties will oppose the idea of three capitals with its 'Chalo Assembly' call to protest against it.
The Communist Party of India and Telugu Desam Party will participate in 'Chalo Assembly' demonstration.
In view of the 'Chalo Assembly' programme, the state government is deploying heavy police force in Amravati to maintain peace and law and order. Section 144 Code of Criminal Procedure and Section 30 of Andhra Pradesh Police Act are already in force in Amaravati region.
Villages that fall in the way to Assembly will be totally guarded by the police personnel. A special route has been prepared for state Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to reach Assembly from his residence.
At first, the cabinet meeting will be held at 9 am, the Business Advisory Committee meeting will be held at 10 am and the Assembly session will start at 11 am.
The Assembly session was specially held to discuss the three capital proposal put forward by Andhra Chief Minister.
The TDP has been vocal in opposing the idea of three capitals of the state and has actively participated in the agitation against the issue.
Several protests had erupted in the state, the GN Rao Committee, which was set up by the Andhra Pradesh government to look into the suggestion of three capitals had earlier made a favourable recommendation saying the move will help in decentralising development and putting the available resources to the best use.
It proposed Visakhapatnam as the executive capital and Kurnool the judicial capital while retaining Amaravati as the legislative capital.