Amaravati Bill Likely Soon - But What’s Still Blocking Its Legal Capital Status?

Amaravati's development is being accelerated by the Andhra Pradesh government, which hopes to finish building the majority of the capital city in the next three years. However, farmers who gave up their land for the Amaravati project are still plagued by a significant legal issue. Their main demand is still the same: they want a formal Act of Parliament to grant Amaravati statutory capital status.

APCRDA representatives informed the farmers in recent meetings that they are advocating in New Delhi to guarantee the introduction of a bill pertaining to Amaravati during the forthcoming winter session of Parliament. The APCRDA Commissioner stated that no Indian capital, including Hyderabad, has ever been formally notified in this way when asked about publishing a central gazette announcement designating Amaravati as the capital. However, farmers contended that a gazette notification is necessary for clarity and that the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act explicitly stated Hyderabad as the capital for ten years.

According to officials, talks were held with the Union Home Ministry, which agreed to publish a gazette in principle. However, the Law Ministry voiced some concerns, which are currently being addressed. Additionally, they informed farmers about land-pooling layouts, stating that minor modifications would only be made following the completion of larger projects. Farmers are becoming more optimistic about the eventual restoration of the capital's legal status as the government gets ready to present the Amaravati bill in Parliament.