New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh government Saturday approached the Supreme Court challenging the March 3 judgment of the High Court declaring Amaravati as the only capital of the State.
The state had introduced Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Repeal Bill,2021, to scrap the AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Act,2020, and AP Capital Region Development Authority Repeal Act, 2020, to make three new capitals namely, Amaravati(legislative), Vishakhapatnam(executive) and Kurnool(judicial).
"Under the federal structure of the constitution, every state has an inherent right to determine where it should carry out its capital functions from. To hold that state does not have the power to decide on its capital is violative of basic structure of the constitution," read the plea. The state has contended that the High Court's order is in violation of the doctrine of separation of powers.
In its verdict, the Andhra Pradesh High Court had held that the state could not make a law on the capital and shifting of office from Amaravati would not be permitted. It had also asked the state to pay Rs 50,000 to petitoner farmers who had moved to the HC challenging the state's decision to form three capitals.
