Panel to visit Vizag to identify space for CMO, others

Vijayawada: A three-member committee appointed by the Andhra Pradesh government to identify suitable transit accommodations including a camp office for the chief minister and accommodation for senior functionaries in Visakhapatnam will visit the port city on Monday.

Speculations are rife about Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy shifting the government administration to Visakhapatnam from the Dasara period. Hence, on Oct 10, chief secretary to government Jawahar Reddy appointed the three-member panel comprising special chief secretary (MA&UD) Sri Lakshmi, special chief secretary (finance) SS Rawat and secretary (services HRM), general administration department (GAD) to inspect the accommodations.

The committee would submit a detailed report to the GAD on the facilities being readied for the CM’s camp office. Based on this, arrangements would be made for the officials and ministers.

The Chief Minister had repeatedly announced his plans to shift the CMO to Visakhapatnam. Recently, the Cabinet also gave its approval for this in a phased manner. In the first phase, the CMO would start operations from the port city on Oct 24, if suitable accommodation is available on Rushikonda Hill.

Sources said a section of farmers in the Amaravati capital region are likely to move the high court against the GO-2004 that announced the setting up of a camp office for the chief minister and others in Vizag. If they file petitions in the HC, then it would be an obstacle. Hence, the CM is thinking of adopting a wait-and-watch policy.

Further, the Supreme Court would also hear the Special Leave Petition (SLP) by the AP Government in the three-capitals case in December. Hence, there are chances of Jagan Mohan Reddy shifting base to Vizag in December, the sources said.