Decision on capital is our right, court setting impossible timelines: Jagan

Amaravati: Reaffirming the government's commitment to decentralised development, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy said the decision on capitals is the state's right and responsibility while policy-making is the domain of the legislature. Rounding off the discussion on legislative competence here on Thursday, the Chief Minister said courts cannot pre-empt or direct the state not to make a policy and lay down impossible conditions, setting timelines that cannot be met.

"The laws we are making stand for public scrutiny every five years, which is the very reason why the previous dispensation was rejected and people gave us a thumping mandate with 151 of the 175 seats in the House. Courts should not be getting into our domain of making laws and this I am saying with the utmost respect towards the judiciary and to set the record straight for future generations to come," said Jagan. He said the impossible timeline set by the courts like setting up basic amenities within a month and other infrastructure in the region within six months is impossible. "The 29 villages form a minor fraction of the total state. We are exploring legal options on the issue," the CM said.

Stating that the government is committed to decentralised development, Jagan assured the state will safeguard the interests of the farmers of the region who gave land. "We have seen Telangana agitation in two phases and Sivaramakrishnanan Committee Report categorically favours decentralised development," he added.

Jagan said the recent verdict of the AP High Court appears to be trespassing into the legislative terrain though the Constitution has laid down the framework of the three pillars of executive, legislature, and judiciary. "We felt that the limits were crossed and hence, had taken up the discussion in the House," he said. The court has said that the state has no right to decentralise development or bifurcate or trifurcate the capital but that it is the purview of the Centre. The Centre on the contrary has given an affidavit that capital is a state subject and has also given a reply to a question asked by TDP member in the Parliament quoting Article 3.

"We have no disrespect towards the High Court. At the same time, we have to respect the Assembly and safeguard its decorum as well. Legislature has been in existence for long. We came here with a mandate. If we cannot question, there will be no meaning to legislature. Who will make laws, the legislature or judiciary? This will remain a question mark if it is not debated," he said.

Explaining his agenda, Jagan said the master plan is for 25 years and a review every five years. Six years ago, the estimate for basic infrastructure in 54,000 acres was worked out at Rs. 1.09 lakh crores and now it must have gone up many times. Between 2016 and 2019, Rs. 5,000 crore was spent and the government cannot spend more than that. "The capital region is only a fraction when compared to the rest of the state. Our agenda is all-round development," he added.

Jagan said that no courts can direct impossible terms and added that the state is exploring legal options and searching for alternative measures. "Despite hurdles, we will go forward with our decentralised development agenda and will not go back. We have no option but to go ahead as decentralisation is our policy and decision on capitals is our right and responsibility," he said.