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The overnight decision of the Andhra Pradesh government on reorganization of districts has created a ruckus in the state with people protesting against the unscientific way adopted in the task. As per the gazette notification issued by the YCP government which it said was to collect people’s opinion, 13 more districts would be added to the existing 13 districts taking the total to 26.
Each Lok Sabha constituency has been identified as a separate district. Only Araku Parliamentary constituency has been divided into two districts. The reorganization of districts might get delayed as the Centre had already issued orders that no delimitation process should be taken up till the census exercise, which is yet to be taken up, is complete. However, the government has issued orders to the collectors to do the necessary groundwork to launch the new districts from this Ugadi.
There is furore among the public against the declaration of some places as the district headquarters which they say would be too far away for some people in the district. While the districts from Srikakulam to Nellore form the 9 coastal districts, Anantapur, Kadapa, Kurnool and Chittoor would be the Seema districts. These apart, there would be four new districts, Nandyal, Sri Satya Sai, Sri Balaji and Annamaiah districts in Rayalaseema.
Proposing the name of NTR for Vijayawada district also drew criticism from the Radha Ranga Mitra Mandali. They demanded that Vijayawada be named after Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga and suggested that Machilipatnam could be named after NTR. In fact, Nimmakuru, the native of NTR is located in Pamarru constituency which is close to Machilipatnam and in such a case, why should Vijayawada be named after NTR, Vangaveeti supporters asked.
The TDP cadre wondered why was YCP showing immense love towards NTR while the same party had demolished his statues soon after coming to power.
Nomenclature of new districts
The government proposed naming the Tirupati district as Sri Balaji, a name seldom used by Telugu people. Devotees would mostly call the Lord as Venkateswara Swamy or Venkanna. In such a case, how can a name mostly used by North Indians be put for a district in AP, asked the residents.
At the same time, Penamaluru and Gannavaram surrounding Vijayawada have been included in Krishna district which has Machilipatnam as the headquarters.
There are several other objections over inclusion of some places on the boundaries of various districts in a particular district while they belonged to the neighbouring district earlier.
The Opposition parties criticized the YCP government for bringing the delimitation of districts on to the screen only to divert the attention of the public from the employees PRC issue. YCP leaders themselves are protesting in Rayachoti, Rajampet and Madanapalle.
No logic in division
In Kadapa district, Rajampet was neglected and Rayachoti was chosen as district headquarters for Annamaiah district, which has evoked protest from the people. They said that Tallapaka where Annamaiah was born is in Rajampet constituency and hence, wanted Rajampet be elevated to the status of district headquarters.
The TDP leaders wondered how would Jagan make the districts a reality given the shortage of funds and staff in the state. How can Gokavaram be merged into Kakinada when it is close to Rajahmundry, TDP MP Bucchaiah Chowdary asked.
Similarly, Alamuru is close to Rajahmundry but it has been merged with Amalapuram. Pedapudi which is near to Kakinada has been merged with Rajahmundry. Dwaraka Tirumala is near to Eluru but it has been merged into Rajahmundry.
The Agency area in East Godavari district consists 10 mandals and all of them have their headquarters in Vizag, which is 250 km away from them. Neither is there any convenience for the people nor the authorities in administering these places, he pointed out.
On one hand, the YCP government is claiming that it chose the district headquarters with a view to keep the places centrally located and on the other, it is not accepting for Amaravati as the capital for the state even while the place is centrally located.
It would be significant to remember that the rejig of districts in neighbouring Telangana taken up in 2016 was not done in a haste like in Andhra Pradesh but that the TRS government has followed a prescribed procedure and held several rounds of meetings with the political parties as well as the officials to arrive at a consensus. However, there were protests against declaration of district headquarters and delimitation of districts in some areas in Telangana too.
Tags AP New Districts
