P. Balakrishnamacharyulu, the Secretary (In Charge [I/C]) of the Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) Legislature, rejected the file sent by Shariff Mohammed Ahmed, the Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council.
Recently, after reviewing the two bills passed by the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) in relation to the decentralisation of the State capital, the Legislative Council Chairman decided to send the bills to a select committee.
Moving ahead with the same, Mr. Ahmed sent his study report to the A.P., Legislature and directed Mr. Balakrishnamacharyulu to take necessary steps and constitute a select committee to review the two bills.
The two bills introduced by the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy led YSRCP Government were the A.P., Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill, 2020 and the A.P., Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) Act Repeal Bill, 2020.
The A.P., Legislature rejected the proposal to form a select committee, citing legal reasons. The Secretary (I/C) of the A.P., Legislature said the proposal was rejected because the procedure to send the report to a select committee was not followed by the Legislative Council Chairman. In order to send a report to the committee, the Legislative Council must first move a motion and raise objections. Only after a floor test and voting in the House can the be sent to a select committee.
P. Balakrishnamacharyulu rejected the report seeking the formation of a select committee earlier as well.
TDP leaders criticised the Secretary (I/C) of the Legislature and the YSRCP Government for rejecting the report. The TDP alleged Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of misusing his power.
However, the YSRCP Government denied the allegations and said the Legislature is doing everything as per the legal process which is in place and there is no influence of the YSRCP and its leaders in the matter.
Umareddy Venkateswarulu, a member of the TDP, said, “However, we are considering two options—sending the bills for getting the consent of the Governor considering both the bills deemed to have passed by the Council and issuing an ordinance on the two bills.”
As of now, both the bills concerning the decentralisation of the A.P., capital are pending with the Central Government and the President of India for approval. Until approved by the Central Government, the bills cannot come into effect in Andhra Pradesh.