2019 2023 Amaravati protests

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Last edited August 27, 2023


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The 2019–2023 Amaravati protests, simply known as Amaravati protests, are ongoing demonstrations in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh triggered by the idea of changing the one capital of Amaravati already identified and developed partially, to three capitals of Amaravati, Visakhapatnam and Kurnool by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. This led to concerns that the decision would create chaos and insecurity for farmers who gave their fertile agricultural lands to the government in 29 villages of Guntur and Krishna districts. The protests began in Mandadam, Thullur, Uddandarayunipalem on 18 December 2019. In a few days, the protests spread across Andhra Pradesh Capital Region, in Andhra Pradesh.[1] On 17 December 2020, series of events were done to mark the protests' anniversary.[2]

Background

2014–2018

The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region boasts of one of the oldest habitations in India, going back at least two millennia, and is associated with historic dynasties like Satavahanas and cities such as Dhanyakataka.[3] The last government, wanted to capitalize this region into world-class capital city and wanted to promote glory, rich culture, historical and religional treasure of Andhra Pradesh.[4] It was designed by the Singaporean company, with the masterplan being prepared by two Singapore government appointed consultants and other international consultants in association with both governments in order to develop India's Singapore.[5][6]

The foundation stone was laid for Amaravati, by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, Former Chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and the Former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has laid foundation stone for Andhra Pradesh High Court at Amaravati.[7][8] However, the Capital city was planned in rich fertile coastal plains on the banks of Krishna river; about 60 km from Bay of Bengal and said to be designed to have 51% of green spaces and 10% of water bodies. Thus, the new riverfront capital took away eminently cultivable land from farmers.[9] For the first time in India, the farmers of Guntur and Krishna districts had given 33,000 acres of land, to the Government of Andhra Pradesh on land pooling for Amaravati.[10][11][12] It had tied up around Rs 17,500 crore with the Housing and Urban Development Corporation, World Bank, Andhra Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and planned to raise the balance through public-private partnerships, investments, bonds, lease rental discounting also, it had estimated a budget of over Rs 1 lakh crore for the greenfield capital city.[13][14] The Government of India, has granted only 2,500 crore and further promised to grant more in future.[15][16] But, the present government had stopped major projects and contracts backed by APCRDA and Andhra Pradesh Development Corporation Limited (ADCL), stating that the previous government has committed Abuse of information, Insider trading on several properties in Amaravati.[17][18] Many construction works and road works at amaravati have come to a grinding halt, even as those undertaken by private companies continue albeit slowly, as the government had appointed several committees for review.[19]

2019–present

In July 2019, the World bank dropped the $300 million Amaravati capital project, and released statement that says "India withdrawn request for financing Amaravati project."[20][21][22] After the World bank, Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has also withdrawn $200 million funding for the Amaravati capital city project and leds the state government into financial crisis for construction of Amaravati.[23][24][25]

In November 2019, the Singapore consortium comprising Ascendas-Singbridge and Sembcorp withdrew from the capital city startup area project, after the state government decided not to proceed with the project owing to its other priorities.[26][27] On building the capital city at Amaravati, Urban development minister Botsa Satyanarayana had said: "Our priority is not to build London or Paris. It is not our priority and not in our capacity also. It is not possible for us to build" and had stated that the Amaravati region was not conducive for building a greenfield capital city and that it was prone to floods.[28][29] Citing the financial condition of Andhra Pradesh due to the economic slowdown and alleged misdeeds of the previous regime, Finance minister Buggana Rajendranath had expressed inability to continue work on several large projects of Amaravati conceived by the previous government.[30][31]

In December 2019, Chief minister Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy announced that the Andhra Pradesh would have three capitals namely as Amaravati in Coastal Andhra as the legislative capital with the state assembly, Visakhapatnam in Uttarandhra as the administrative capital with the state secretariat and Kurnool in Rayalaseema as the judicial capital with the high court.[32][33] This threw everybody into confusion, including foreign investors who had hedged their bets on the swift development of Amaravati.[34] The farmers, residents of APCR have condemned the comments and dragged into protests against the government.[1][35][36]

The act has been challenged in Andhra Pradesh High Court, which ordered to maintain status quo until the court completes its hearing. The government, led by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, withdrew the act, when the high court hearing reached the final stage. The chief minister, however, said his government would bring a better and more complete bill.[37]

The protesters under the banner of Amaravati Parirakshana Samithi (APS) and Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Amaravati received support from all the political parties barring the ruling YCP when they held their long marches across Andhra Pradesh seeking support for their agitation.[38]

On 5 March 2022, High court ruled that the government can not abandon development of Amaravati as capital city after farmers parted with 33,000 acres of land against the agreement with APCRDA to develop it as the capital city and ₹15,000 crore was sunk in it over development expenditure. It asked the government to develop Amaravati within six months. [39] When the government appealed in the Supreme court, it got a stay on the judgement regarding developing the city within six months. Supreme court posted the case to 11 July, 2023 for hearing. [40]

Meanwhile, Jaganmohan Reddy announced that Visakhapatnam will become the new capital when he addressed a meeting on 31 January 2023, relating to an upcoming investment summit in Vizag.[41]

Timeline

Timeline of the events

  • 2 June 2014
  • 8 June 2014
  • Chandrababu Naidu became chief minister of Andhra Pradesh and took office of residuary Andhra Pradesh.[44]
  • 31 December 2014
  • The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority Act, 2014 came into force.[47]
  • 1 April 2015
  • Andhra Pradesh cabinet approved the decision to name the capital city as Amaravati.[48]
  • 25 May 2015
  • 22 October 2015
  • 1 July 2017
  • Chief minister, ministers and senior officers had officially started functioning from Amaravati.[51]
  • 3 February 2019
  • 18 March 2019
  • 30 May 2019
  • 23 July 2019
  • 13 September 2019
  • The New Government appointed, an Expert panel committee headed by G.N. Rao to take a review of the developmental plans initiated in Amaravati and also to suggest comprehensive development strategy for all-round development of the state including the capital.[58]
  • 11 November 2019
  • 17 December 2019
  • 20 December 2019
  • G. N. Rao further stated that, the panel suggested moving 'some of the capital functions' to other areas in form of Decentralized Government.[63][64]
  • 29 December 2019
  • The Government of Andhra Pradesh also constituted a High power committee to discuss on G. N. Rao Panel and BCG group reports due to widespread public blacklash.[65]
  • 3 January 2020
  • 31 July 2020
  • 17 December 2020
  • Public meeting is held near the foundation ceremony area (Uddandarayunipalem) to commemorate the one year of the protests.[68] [69]
  • 23 November 2021
  • The state government withdrew the 3-capital bill, leading protesters to believe that the government gave into their demands. However, hours later, Chief minister Jaganmohan Reddy announced that the government would write a "better and more comprehensive" 3-capital bill.[70]
  • 3 March 2022
  • The Andhra Pradesh High Court directs the state government to develop Amaravati as the sole capital. However, this is not recognized by the state government.[71]
  • 12 September 2022
  • 28 November 2022
  • The Supreme Court of India stays the previous decision by the Andhra Pradesh High Court to develop Amaravati as the sole capital, stating, "Is there no separation of power in the state of Andhra Pradesh? How can a high court begin acting executive?"[75]

Timeline of the protests

  • 17 December 2019
  • Hours after Jagan's announcement, violent demonstrations erupt in Amaravati, especially in Thullur, and other areas in the capital region.[1]
  • 18 December 2019
  • Farmers held demonstrations on the roads with the cans of pesticides by citing suicide if the Jagan's decision wouldn't withdrawn.[76]
  • 19 December 2019
  • Various public and private departments, stores had openly supported the bandh, and heavy traffic jam obstructed many government vehicles as protestors gathered on the roads.[78]
  • Protestors also blocked APSRTC buses moving towards Andhra Pradesh Secretariat and Amaralingeswara temple despite the deployment of a huge posse of police in the 29 villages.[79]
  • 11 October 2020
  • 15 December 2022

Protests and demonstrations

Amaravati farmers took to the streets with the announcement of Chief minister Jagan's capital decentralization. Reactionary protests were held as well across the Guntur and Krishna districts of Andhra Pradesh. They are protesting on the road with cans of pesticides and have erred in moving the Secretariat and High Court from the already all-encompassing Amaravati.[83] Farmers are demanding that the entire administration of government to stay where it is.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hours after CM Jagan's decision, farmers of Amaravati stage protests against three capitals to state(2019-12-18). Retrieved 2019-12-19.
  2. ↑ Andhra Pradesh: One year for Amaravati movement, farmers to hold Jana Rana Bheri today, Bandari, Pavan Kumar. The Hans India(2020-12-17). Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  3. ↑ About, Amaravati. Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority.
  4. ↑ How Andhra Pradesh plans to make its new capital, Amaravati as 'world class city'(2017-05-21). Retrieved 2018-06-18.
  5. ↑ Andhra capital Amaravati will be bigger, better than Singapore: Chandrababu Naidu(2018-04-13). Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  6. ↑ Amaravati masterplan: AP to ink MoU with Singapore govt today(2018-01-11). Retrieved 2019-01-26.
  7. ↑ Modi lays foundation for Amaravati: As it happened. The Hindu(2015-10-22). Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  8. ↑ Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi lays foundation stone for Andhra High Court in Amaravati(2019-04-04). Retrieved 2020-01-04.
  9. ↑ Amaravati: A capital idea, but how feasible?(2016-07-22). Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  10. ↑ Farmers offer 33,000 acre land for Andhra capital at Amravati(2017-06-18). Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  11. ↑ Farmers offer 33,000 acre land for Andhra capital at Amravati(2017-06-18). Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  12. ↑ 'రాజధాని కోసం ప్రభుత్వాన్ని నమ్మి భూములిచ్చాం... ఇప్పుడు పిల్లా పెద్దా అంతా రోడ్డున పడ్డాం(2020-01-07). Retrieved 2020-01-08.
  13. ↑ Rs 17,500 cr WB booster shot for Andhra Pradesh's Amaravati city(2016-11-16). Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  14. ↑ Andhra CM Naidu taps into World Bank to fund his dream capital Amaravati(2018-04-28). Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  15. ↑ Centre gave ₹2,500 cr. forbuilding Amaravati: CM. The Hindu(2017-12-01). Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  16. ↑ Amaravati will be Andhra Pradesh's New Capital. Budget: 20,000 Crores(2015-04-02). Retrieved 2015-06-17.
  17. ↑ Fate of Amaravati, hangs in balance(2019-06-02). Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  18. ↑ We have details of insider trading in Amaravati:Botsa(2019-08-27). Retrieved 2019-09-02.
  19. ↑ Several projects stalled in Andhra Pradesh as blame game continues(2019-06-24). Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  20. ↑ World Bank drops its $300 mn promise for amaravati project(2019-07-18). Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  21. ↑ India withdrew request for financing Amaravati project: World Bank(2019-07-22). Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  22. ↑ World Bank says it 'dropped' Amaravati project due to Centre withdrawing finance request(2019-07-19). Retrieved 2019-07-28.
  23. ↑ Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank withdraws $200 million funding to Amaravati project(2019-07-24). Retrieved 2019-08-01.
  24. ↑ China-Backed Bank Drops $200 Million Loan For Amaravati Project(2019-07-23). Retrieved 2019-07-28.
  25. ↑ After World Bank, China-led development bank pulls out of Amaravati project(2019-07-23). Retrieved 2019-07-28.
  26. ↑ Withdrawal of Singapore Consortium from Amaravati Development Project a mutual decision, says Satyanarayana(2019-11-13). Retrieved 2019-11-13.
  27. ↑ Andhra Pradesh: Singapore closes Amaravati capital city startup project(2019-11-12). Retrieved 2019-11-13.
  28. ↑ 'Amaravati not safe to be capital': Andhra minister Botsa Satyanarayana(2019-08-21). Retrieved 2019-10-12.
  29. ↑ Scrapping Chandrababu Naidu's plans for Amaravati will be easier said than done for Jaganmohan Reddy govt(2019-08-26). Retrieved 2019-10-14.
  30. ↑ Amaravati start-up area project not financially viable: Andhra FM Buggana Rajendranath(2019-11-13). Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  31. ↑ Start-up Area Project was not financially feasible: AP FinMin(2019-11-13). Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  32. ↑ Concept of 3 capitals to be considered in Andhra Pradesh: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy(2019-12-17). Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  33. ↑ Andhra Pradesh to have three capitals, says YS Jaganmohan Reddy(2019-12-17). Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  34. ↑ After dreaming big, Amaravati investors now stare at a bigger vacuum(2019-09-25). Retrieved 2019-09-30.
  35. ↑ Had Jagan Mohan Reddy opposed Amaravati, we wouldn't have given lands: Farmers(2019-12-29). Retrieved 2019-12-31.
  36. ↑ Farmers from 29 Amaravati villages protest Jagan's proposal for three capitals(2019-12-19). Retrieved 2019-12-19.
  37. ↑ Andhra Pradesh Withdraws Controversial 3-Capital Bill. NDTV.com. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  38. ↑ Andhra Pradesh: Support pours in for padyatra by Amaravati farmers. Siasat(2022-09-14). Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  39. ↑ Capital verdict: On A.P. High Court judgment on Amaravati(2022-03-05).
  40. ↑ SC posts for hearing on July 11 plea of AP govt against HC order on Amaravati capital case. ANI news. ANI(2023-03-28).
  41. ↑ Visakhapatnam will be Andhra's capital, says Jagan. What happens to Amaravati and the 3-capitals plan?. The Indian Express(1 February 2023). Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  42. ↑ Andhra Pradesh split, India's 29th state Telangana is born(2014-06-02). Retrieved 2014-06-06.
  43. ↑ How a new state is created in India(2013-07-30). Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  44. ↑ Chandrababu Naidu to be sworn in as CM of new Andhra Pradesh on Sunday(2014-06-07). Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  45. ↑ A.P. Capital Region Development AAct comes to being. The Hindu(2014-12-31). Retrieved 2015-01-01.
  46. ↑ Declaration of A.P. Capital Region - Ap.gov.in. APCRDA. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  47. ↑ Andhra Pradesh capital plan gets going, CRDA Bill in assembly. The Times of India(2014-12-21). Retrieved 2014-12-31.
  48. ↑ Andhra Pradesh cabinet approves the plan to name the capital city as Amaravati.. The Hindu(2015-04-01). Retrieved 2015-04-02.
  49. ↑ Singapore presents master plan for Amaravati(2015-05-25). Retrieved 2015-05-30.
  50. ↑ An auspicious start for Amaravati as Modi lays foundation stone(2015-10-22). Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  51. ↑ A.P. govt. starts work from new Secretariat. The Hindu(2017-06-30). Retrieved 2017-07-01.
  52. ↑ CJI Ranjan Gogoi to inaugurate interim Andhra Pradesh High Court complex(2019-02-03). Retrieved 2019-02-14.
  53. ↑ CJI Ranjan Gogoi inaugurates Andhra Pradesh High Court new building at Amaravathy(2019-02-03). Retrieved 2019-02-14.
  54. ↑ AP High Court to function at Nelapadu from March 18(2019-03-18). Retrieved 2019-03-31.
  55. ↑ Monster victory for Jagan, humiliating loss for Naidu. The Times of India(2019-05-24). Retrieved 2019-05-30.
  56. ↑ YS Jaganmohan Reddy takes oath as Andhra Pradesh CM(2019-05-30). Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  57. ↑ After World Bank, China-backed bank drops USD 200 mn loan for Amaravati(2019-07-23). Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  58. ↑ Andhra Govt Appoints Expert Panel to Decide Future of Capital, Likely to Increase 12 More Districts(2019-09-14). Retrieved 2019-09-30.
  59. ↑ Singapore consortium pulls out of Andhra's Startup Area Project(2019-11-13). Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  60. ↑ 'Decentralised administration': Andhra may have three capitals, says CM Jagan(2019-12-17). Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  61. ↑ Jagan Reddy's Andhra may be India's first state with 3 capitals(2019-12-17). Retrieved 2019-12-23.
  62. ↑ GN Rao Committee submits its report to CM Jagan reddy at Camp office in Tadepalli(2019-12-20). Retrieved 2019-12-23.
  63. ↑ GN Rao panel report backs Jagan Mohan's three-Capital proposal for Andhra(2019-12-21). Retrieved 2019-12-31.
  64. ↑ GN Rao Committee Submits Report To YS Jagan(2019-12-20). Retrieved 2019-12-23.
  65. ↑ Andhra Pradesh constitutes 16-member High Power Committee to find solution for capital city crisis(2020-01-13). Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  66. ↑ Boston Consulting Group for decentralised development of AP(2020-01-04). Retrieved 2020-01-04.
  67. ↑ Andhra Governor gives nod to CM Jagan Mohan Reddy's three-capital plan. Livemint(2020-08-01). Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  68. ↑ JAC plans to scale up Amaravati protest into a mass movement. The Hindu(10 December 2020).
  69. ↑ Andhra Pradesh: One year for Amaravati movement, farmers to hold Jana Rana Bheri today, Bandari, Pavan Kumar. The Hans India(2020-12-17). Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  70. ↑ Amaravati farmers' joy turns out to be short-lived. New Indian Express(23 November 2021). Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  71. ↑ Protesting for 800 days, Amaravati farmers erupt in joy. Hindu Post(4 March 2022). Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  72. ↑ Amaravati Farmers' March: 2nd Phase of Protest Begins With Arasavalli Temple Padyatra, PV, Ramana Kumar. News18(2022-09-12). Retrieved 2022-09-12.
  73. ↑ Fight for Amaravati: Farmers begin Maha Padayatra across AP, Sridhar, G. Naga. Business Line(2022-09-12). Retrieved 2022-09-12.
  74. ↑ Why Amaravati farmers are on a long march in Andhra Pradesh, K. Menon, Amarnath. India Today(2022-09-12). Retrieved 2022-09-12.
  75. ↑ Top court stays HC's order to develop Amaravati as Andhra capital in 6 months. Hindustan Times(28 November 2022). Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  76. ↑ మూడు పై మంటాలు(2019-12-19). Retrieved 2019-12-23.
  77. ↑ రాజధాని సెగలు(2019-12-19). Retrieved 2019-12-20.
  78. ↑ తాడో పేడో(2019-12-20). Retrieved 2019-12-25.
  79. ↑ Amaravati bandh: Farmers protest against remarks of Chief Minister Jagan in State Assembly(2019-12-19). Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  80. ↑ Amaravati farmers' protest enters 300th day. The Times of India(October 13, 2020). Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  81. ↑ Protests staged for Amaravati as capital. The Hindu(2020-10-11). Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  82. ↑ APCC president extends support to Amaravati farmers' protest against three-capital move. The Hindu(15 December 2022). Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  83. ↑ Amaravati farmers protest Andhra CM's idea of three capitals(2019-12-18). Retrieved 2019-12-19.
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