AP May Soon Have 25 Districts

Even as the proposal of constructing 3 capitals for AP got mixed reactions from across the state, the ruling YSRCP government is now pondering to increase the number of districts in the state from 13 to 25.

Speaking at an event in Visakhapatnam marking the birthday of CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, his close aide, and YSRCP MP Vijayasai Reddy said, "The number of districts in the state may go up to 25 soon, to further decentralize governance in the state."

"Centralisation of governance and power is never good for the state. The CM has said, the 13 districts will be made 25, and all the 25 districts will see even development (sic). All the districts, including Rayalaseema, north coastal Andhra, the Godavari districts and the surrounding district will see even development," Vijayasai Reddy said.

Vijayasai Reddy said that selecting Visakhapatnam to be the executive capital of the state was a historic decision. YS Jagan had recently announced that the state might soon have 3 capitals with separate functions.

An expert committee encompassing urban planning experts who were tasked with determining the future course of capital development in the state had recommended the move, stating that it would help decentralization of governance and uniform development across the state.

The expert committee on the capital, headed by G Nageswara Rao, had also proposed the division of the state into 4 regions - North Coastal, South Coastal, Central Coastal, and Rayalaseema - with Regional commissioners set up in each region to make governance decentralized and more accessible to the people.

The decision to set up multiple capitals in Amaravati, Kurnool and Vizag met with mixed reactions. Farmers continuously protested for four days, after the G N Rao committee report was announced.