Rayalaseema has long been neglected and remains backward. Kurnool was made the capital of Andhra in 1953 but soon had to give away its status to Hyderabad. That was the beginning of the problems for this region.
Students' formation to commemorate the Sribagh Pact in Kurnool town in Rayalaseema, Andhra, on Wednesday, 16 November, 2022. Kurnool as the judicial capital part of the Jagan government’s three capitals plan is being opposed by the TDP (Supplied)
The decision of the government to make Kurnool the judicial capital of Andhra Pradesh is the need of the hour and is a major step that will completely change the face of Rayalaseema.
It is a key move in the decentralisation of power and will help in the uniform development of the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Unfortunately, so much fuss is being made by most of the political parties about this decision to make Kurnool the judicial capital. The opposition party is making it an important issue without having knowledge of the present situation prevailing in Rayalaseema and the impact on the long-term future development of the region.
The exodus of thousands of peasants and farm labourers in the western part of Kurnool and Anantapur districts is one of the examples of the pathetic conditions prevailing in Rayalaseema.
It shows that Rayalaseema is a highly underdeveloped area of the state. Even a layman in the region can tell that Rayalaseema is largely a backward area of Andhra Pradesh. It is almost a desert when compared to the other developed areas of the state.
Time and again, the neglect of this area has deprived the Rayalaseema region of development in all aspects. Rayalaseema has always given a cold shoulder from time immemorial.
Once known as a prosperous region, it is now a dry and drought-prone area. Sectors such as agriculture and industrialisation have been highly neglected, leading to chaos. Adding to this is the alarming unemployment and poverty.
Kurnool was made the capital of Andhra Pradesh in 1953 but only for a short period.
Before any development could be initiated, Kurnool had to give away its capital status to Hyderabad. That was the beginning of the problems for this region.
Since then, many efforts to implement the Sribagh pact went in vain.
Seventy years down the line, Kurnool is reeling under the injustice meted out to it. Subsequently, the entire Rayalaseema region is suffering as Kurnool is its main and integral part.
Kurnool is known as the gateway of Rayalaseema. It is on the highway connecting the two states of Telangana and Karnataka. If Kurnool is on the path of development, it will lead to the development of Rayalaseema.
In view of this, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, with foresight, has taken a logical and justified decision to make Kurnool the judicial capital.
Development of the state by decentralisation of power is the motto behind this. There are many direct and indirect benefits of this decision, which will give Rayalaseema an uplift that has been due for long.
There are many tangible and intangible long-term benefits in making the city the Andhra judicial capital.
Many infrastructural facilities are to be created to cater to the needs of courts and there arises a necessity to create transport and other facilities.
The airport in Kurnool is an added advantage for people who come from the farthest parts of the state. Roads are to be provided for land transport.
Further, employment opportunities that will arise due to the city being the judicial capital will come as a solace for the people of Rayalaseema. As the status is bound to help industry and construction, in the long term other areas like agriculture will also get a boost. Different types of corridors may come up in the near future.
In view of these, it is time for all the political parties and people of the city and other parts of Rayalaseema to unite and support the movement to make Kurnool the judicial capital of Andhra.
For this, a concrete and comprehensive plan has to be developed and implemented with determination. Even the parties and people opposing the move should get invited to be part of it for the larger interests of the underdeveloped Rayalaseema and for the overall and uniform development of Andhra Pradesh.
It is high time that we all got united to ensure a bright future for the people of Rayalaseema.
(Vijay Kumar Reddy is Kurnool Joint Action Committee (JAC) Convenor. The JAC was formed in Kurnool to fight for the development of the region and includes all sections of society such as lawyers, students, and farmers including daily wage labourers.
The author has been a businessman for 19 years in Kurnool. He has been state vice chairman and president of the Chamber of Commerce. He has also been part of vigilance monitoring committees. These are the personal views of the author)
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