AP Govt plans ZPTC elections based on newly formed districts

The Andhra Pradesh government is considering conducting Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) elections based on the newly reorganized districts, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan informed the State Legislative Assembly on Thursday. He said the government has already begun preliminary groundwork to hold the elections in line with the administrative restructuring of districts.

Speaking in the Assembly, Pawan Kalyan stated that the coalition government is committed to strengthening local self-governance institutions and ensuring that Panchayati Raj bodies function more effectively. He added that there are no legal obstacles to the reorganization of panchayats, and the government is examining the necessary administrative measures ahead of the upcoming local body elections. The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized that empowering local institutions remains one of the government’s core priorities. He noted that soon after assuming office, the government initiated steps aimed at improving the functioning and autonomy of rural local bodies. “Our government is committed to strengthening local institutions and ensuring they have the resources and administrative support necessary to serve people effectively,” Pawan Kalyan said during the debate.

Addressing concerns over environmental impact during development activities such as road expansion, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government is examining alternative measures whenever trees are removed for infrastructure projects. “As an environmental enthusiast, I believe development and environmental protection must go hand in hand. Whenever trees are removed for development works, we will ensure suitable alternatives and take measures to preserve greenery,” he said.

He also revealed that the government is exploring the possibility of bringing in a strong legal framework to protect trees and vegetation, stating that strict enforcement would be essential to safeguard the state’s green cover.

Pawan Kalyan also responded to concerns raised by legislators regarding the survival of saplings planted under afforestation drives. He said the government is planning to introduce geo-tagging for every sapling planted under Forest Department initiatives.

According to him, a dedicated system will be created to track saplings from the nursery stage itself, ensuring better monitoring and maintenance. The government is studying advanced systems being implemented in Bengaluru nurseries as part of efforts to adopt modern tracking mechanisms.