Jagan’s Decision : Big Burden On Andhra

It is common knowledge by now that the YSRCP government is planning to go for the delimitation of districts in Andhra Pradesh. This is worrying the state exchequer. More districts means more expenditure as it would lead to more divisions, new offices, distribution of property and providing new infrastructure.

According to the preliminary estimate made by the state government in January 2020, the exercise involves an additional expenditure of Rs 1,300 crore and as it would become a burden on the state exchequer, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has reportedly asked the officials to look into ways to reduce the estimated figures.

The CM held a review meeting with the officials at his camp office which was attended by government Chief Secretary Neelam Sawhney, financial department principal secretary S.S. Rawat and other higher officials.  Sawhney is the head of a special committee formed to examine the delimitation of districts which would result in the formation of 25-26 districts in the place of the existing 13 in the state.

Apart from financial resources, the government should also look into providing adequate employees to the new districts, accommodation of new offices and allocation of assets. However, the special committee constituted to study the delimitation of districts had not received any specific orders regarding the final number of districts to be formed or the use of resources.

According to sources, the chief minister said, “Formation of new districts is meant for efficient governance and for the officials to be always available to resolve people’s problems. Do not go for more expenditure. Try to extract maximum benefits from minimum expenditure. Do not opt for construction of new buildings now. Use the available resources and go for rented buildings only if most needed.”

It is learnt that the CM directed the officials to rent buildings only if there is a shortage of government office buildings in the new districts. He also told the officials to ensure that borders and legal issues with regard to the new districts should not be left pending.

He also suggested that political issues should also be taken into consideration, apart from sensitive aspects and aspirations of the locals living in those places.  Jagan reportedly asked the officials to give him some clarity on six crucial aspects by the end of December 2020.

SEC objects to delimitation of districts

Meanwhile, State Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar had apparently written a letter to government Chief Secretary Neelam Sawhney that the delimitation of districts should be stalled as the election procedure was still underway. He made it clear that the delimitation of districts cannot be done till the elections were completed.

In the letter, Mr Ramesh Kumar mentioned, “We started off the election procedure considering only 13 districts and the number should remain the same till the polls are completed. Else, technical problems would arise during the zilla parishad elections. Do not take any policy decisions on the issue till the election procedure is completed.”