Reorganisation of Andhra Pradesh districts only for development: Ministers

Ongole: In order to develop all areas in the State, the government is reorganising the districts, said Minister for Energy Balineni Srinivasa Reddy and Minister for Education Dr Audimulapu Suresh here on Saturday.

The government has announced the reorganisation of the districts with each Lok Sabha constituency as the base and appointed a high-level official committee headed by the Chief Secretary.

The announcement triggered many proposals and demands from the people's organisations to consider the geographical distance and sentiments over places while announcing the new districts.

In Prakasam district, Santhanuthalapadu Assembly constituency, which is just beside Ongole and is a home of black galaxy granite is part of Bapatla Parliament constituency while Kandukur Assembly constituency, where the highly sought Ramayapatnam port is announced, is in Nellore Parliament constituency.

The people's organisatons are demanding that the government keep Santhanuthalapadu and Kandukur in Ongole district, though they are not part of the same Parliament constituency.

On the other side, people's organisations from the western area of Prakasam district want a separate district with Markapuram as the district headquarters.

The Giddalur people put forward another demand, if Markapuram district is not possible, the government should include the constituency in Nandyal district, as they have been part of Nandyal Parliamentary constituency up to 2004 and the town is very nearer to them than Ongole.

Similarly, Chirala people are demanding that the government make their town as headquarters of the district, than Bapatla.

Responding to the demands from Prakasam district and other districts in the State, Balineni Srinivasa Reddy clarified that the government has taken a decision and appointed a committee for the purpose. He said that the Chief Minister is fulfilling his promise and there is no objection from any of the people's representatives over it.