AP assembly approves 7 Bills, amends municipal laws, panchayat raj voter enrolment regulations

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly on Wednesday approved seven bills amending the AP Municipal Laws Act, AP Panchayat Raj Act, voter enrolment, and the Bill for regulation of Ayush hospitals.Municipal administration minister P Narayana moved two Bills, including one cutting vacant land tax (VLT) by 50%. The reduction of VLT applies from the date of obtaining building permission until issuance of occupancy certificate, completion of construction, or expiry of permission — whichever is earlier. Narayana said the amendment was brought to promote ease and speed of doing business following multiple representations received from builders' associations such as NAREDCO and CREDAI.The second amendment removes the word "leprosy" from municipal laws in line with a Supreme Court order issued on May 7 last year. Narayana said the decision was meant to prevent discrimination, as leprosy is no longer classified as a communicable disease. Similar amendments were made to the AP Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act and the Sri Venkateswara Vedic University Act to remove the word.The assembly also passed the AP Panchayat Raj Amendment Bill, 2026. Tourism minister K Durgesh introduced the Bill on behalf of deputy CM and Panchayat Raj minister K Pawan Kalyan. The amendment brings Panchayat Raj voter registration norms in line with Parliamentary and assembly practices. The new provision will give the opportunity for new voters turning 18 to register their votes four times in a year instead of once a year. After turning 18, they can now register their votes on Jan 1, Apr 1, Jul 1, and Oct 1. The govt earlier issued an ordinance for the same on Dec 23, 2025. The MLAs who participated in the discussion sought steps to remove irregularities in voter lists.In another amendment, the assembly cleared changes to the AP Private Medical Care Establishments Act, 2002, expanding regulation to Ayush hospitals. Health minister Satya Kumar Yadav said Ayush clinics currently operate outside any monitoring framework despite significant growth. The amendment brings them under the same regulatory ambit as allopathic hospitals. Once approved by both Houses, Ayush practitioners will get representation on regulatory and appellate boards. The assembly also passed the AP Electricity Duty Amendment Act, inserting a clause that any govt order under the Act requires prior legislative approval.