Rayachoti has served as the headquarters of the Annamayya district since its formation in 2022 under the previous YSRCP government.
Published Dec 29, 2025 | 6:39 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 29, 2025 | 6:41 PM
Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy represents Rayachoti in the state Assembly and hails from the area.
Synopsis: Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, who burst out in tears as Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced the decision to shift the Annamaya district headquarters to Madanapalle from Rayachoti, later posted a video, saying the chief minister would consider representations from Rayachoti residents on the issue.
Poignant moments overshadowed a meeting of the N Chandrababu Naidu Cabinet in Andhra Pradesh on Monday, 29 December, as Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy broke down when the chief minister announced the shifting of Annamayya district’s headquarters to Madanapalle from Rayachoti.
The Cabinet meeting focused on key decisions regarding district reorganisation to enhance administrative efficiency. Among the proposals approved was the relocation of the Annamayya district’s administrative centre to Madanapalle, a move aimed at better governance and resource allocation.
Ramprasad Reddy, who represents the Rayachoti Assembly constituency and hails from the area, became visibly distraught during the discussion. According to sources, the minister, known for his strong ties to Rayachoti, was in tears as the implications of the shift became known.
Rayachoti has served as the headquarters of the Annamayya district since its formation in 2022 under the previous YSRCP government.
Naidu reportedly paused the proceedings to console the minister, offering words of reassurance and emphasising that the decision was made in the larger interest of balanced regional development.
“It’s a tough call, but it’s for the progress of Andhra Pradesh,” Naidu reportedly remarked, and pointed to the need for such reorganisations to address geographical and developmental challenges.
After the meeting, Ramprasad Reddy left the Secretariat without speaking to the media. However, in a separate development, he released a selfie video, expressing hope that the chief minister would consider representations from Rayachoti residents regarding the headquarters issue.
The announcement of the change of headquarters has triggered protests in Rayachoti, where activists from various political affiliations staged demonstrations on the Kurnool-Chittoor National Highway. They demanded the town retain its status as district headquarters.
Slogans such as “Rayachoti should remain the district headquarters” and “We don’t want Madanapalle” were raised.
The Annamayya district is one of the newer administrative units in Andhra Pradesh, located in the Rayalaseema region. It derives its name from the renowned 15th-century Telugu saint-poet Tallapaka Annamacharya (also known as Annamayya), famous for his devotional hymns (sankeertanas) dedicated to Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati.
The district was officially created on 4 April 2022, as part of a major reorganisation of districts in Andhra Pradesh under the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government.
Annamayya was carved out from the Rajampet, Rayachoti revenue divisions in the YSR Kadapa district and the Madanapalle revenue division in the Chittoor district, with Rayachoti as its headquarters.
Land lease for Plantation Management Institute (Eluru):
Approved leasing 9.96 acres of government land in Nuziveedu, Eluru district, to the Director of Horticulture & Sericulture for establishing the Indian Institute of Plantation Management (IIPM) for 33 years, with an annual lease rent of ₹13.70 lakh and a 10% increase every five years.
Renewal of lease for Vedanta drilling operations (Konaseema):
Extended the lease of 9.88 acres at Katrénikona village, Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district, to Vedanta Limited for onshore drilling activities for three years, with an annual lease rent of ₹15 lakh.
Land transfer for Sports City in Tirupati:
Ratified the transfer of 28.37 acres of government land at Daminedu village to the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) for establishing a Sports City, free of cost, replacing the earlier allotment to the AP Tourism Authority.
NABARD loan for Amaravati infrastructure:
Approved ratification of orders permitting APCRDA to raise ₹7,387.70 crore loan from NABARD under the NIDA scheme for implementing infrastructure projects in the Amaravati Capital Region, subject to a 5% guarantee fee.
Flood Pumping Station at Undavalli (Amaravati):
Authorised Amaravati Development Corporation Limited to approve the L1 bid for construction, commissioning, and 15-year operation & maintenance of Flood Pumping Station–2 at Undavalli (capacity 8,400 cusecs) at a cost of ₹443.76 crore, funded by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
Zone-8 trunk infrastructure works in Amaravati:
Approved L1 bid for comprehensive trunk infrastructure—roads, drains, water supply, sewerage, power, ICT ducts, STP, reuse water lines, and avenue plantation—in Zone-8 villages at a cost of ₹1,358 crore.
Stamp duty exemption for Settipalli LPS beneficiaries (Tirupati):
Granted exemption from stamp duty and registration fees for conveyance deeds issued under the Settipalli Land Pooling Scheme, benefiting 2,457 beneficiaries, with an estimated revenue implication of ₹16.25 crore.
Approval of GoM recommendations on CRDA land allotments:
Accepted the Group of Ministers’ recommendations on land allotments to institutions in the CRDA area and authorised APCRDA Commissioner to take action as per the Amaravati Land Allotment Rules, 2017.
UGD and STP project for Mangalagiri–Tadepalli Municipal Corporation:
Approved a ₹1,673.51 crore proposal for decentralised underground drainage and sewage treatment plants under the Hybrid Annuity Model, to be implemented in two phases.
Implementation of High Court orders (Forest Department):
Approved the appointment of K Suresh Kumar as Assistant Conservator of Forests by creating a supernumerary post and granting notional seniority and benefits, in compliance with AP High Court directions.
Interest waiver for SC beneficiaries’ loans:
Approved waiver of ₹41.61 crore interest dues linked to NSFDC and NSKFDC loans, benefiting 11,479 Scheduled Caste beneficiaries, subject to repayment of principal amounts within four months.
Prepaid smart metering in government services:
Approved revised modalities to implement prepaid smart metering across government departments to qualify for additional borrowing up to 0.5% of GSDP in 2025–26.
Pre-closure of Kalangi flood bank works:
Approved pre-closure of Package-I flood bank development works along the Kalangi River’s left bank, executed by GVR Infra Projects Ltd.
Additional cost approval for AVR HNSS pumping stations:
Sanctioned ₹76.80 lakh towards increased megawatt capacity of induction motors for Pumping Stations 9 to 11 under AVR HNSS Phase-I, Stage-I.
DA/DR hike for government employees and pensioners:
Ratified orders enhancing DA/DR by 3.64% with effect from 1 January 2024, aligning with Central Pay Commission revisions, with financial benefits payable from October 2025 salaries.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
