Capital shift: AP High Court extends status quo till September 21

Vijayawada:The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday extended the status quo orders on shifting of the Capital to Vizag city till September 21.

It may be recalled that Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to interfere into the hearing in AP High Court on the three capitals issue and it has dismissed the AP government’s petition seeking vacation on the stay granted by the AP High court.

The Amaravati Parirakshana Samiti and others had moved the AP High Court challenging the repeal of Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) Act and Decentralisation of Governance and Inclusive Development of All Regions Act, which paved the way for the trifurcation of the capital (Executive Capital in Vizag city, Judicial Capital in Kurnool and Legislative Capital in Amaravati).

The AP High Court also found fault with the AP government for laying the foundation stone for constructing a government guest house in over 30 acres in Vizag city, wondering how can the government move when the status quo on shifting of capital was under enforcement.

The AP High Court asked the AP government Chief Secretary to file a counter affidavit on the issue. The advocates said that more than 70 petitions were filed in the AP High Court against the trifurcation of the capital in Andhra Pradesh. However, the AP government has filed a single counter-affidavit in response to over 70 petitions.

The AP High Court asked the government to file a counter affidavit to each and every petition.